Shelby, MT vs Wye, MT

The cost of living difference between Shelby, MT and Wye, MT is dramatic. Shelby is 44.1% cheaper than Wye, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Shelby has a cost index of 73 while Wye sits at 130, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Shelby is $769/month compared to $1,804/month in Wye — a 57% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shelby is more affordable at $206,000 median vs $520,700.

Median household income in Shelby is $53,357 compared to $106,667 in Wye (-50%). While Wye is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Shelby spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 20.3% in Wye.

Climate-wise, Wye is notably warmer with an average of 45.2°F compared to 41.8°F in Shelby. Wye receives more rainfall at 14.1" per year compared to 10.8" in Shelby.