Shelby, MT vs Thompson Falls, MT

Thompson Falls is moderately more affordable than Shelby, with a 12% lower cost of living index. Shelby scores 73 compared to 65 for Thompson Falls, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Shelby can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Shelby is $769/month compared to $575/month in Thompson Falls — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Thompson Falls is more affordable at $182,200 median vs $206,000.

Median household income in Shelby is $53,357 compared to $53,203 in Thompson Falls (+0.3%). Shelby does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Shelby spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, more than the 13% in Thompson Falls.

Climate-wise, Shelby is notably warmer with an average of 41.8°F compared to 38.6°F in Thompson Falls. Thompson Falls receives more rainfall at 45.1" per year compared to 10.8" in Shelby.