Shelby, MS vs Winona, MS

Shelby is moderately more affordable than Winona, with a 5.5% lower cost of living index. Shelby scores 57 compared to 60 for Winona, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Winona can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Shelby is $613/month compared to $691/month in Winona — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shelby is more affordable at $82,400 median vs $93,500.

Median household income in Shelby is $27,728 compared to $27,486 in Winona (+0.9%). Shelby offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Shelby spend roughly 26.5% of their income on rent, less than the 30.2% in Winona. The Shelby ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64°F vs 64°F). Winona receives more rainfall at 51.8" per year compared to 49" in Shelby.