Shelby, NC vs Wilson, NC

Shelby, NC and Wilson, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Shelby scores 77 while Wilson scores 75 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Shelby is $899/month compared to $925/month in Wilson — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shelby is more affordable at $185,400 median vs $192,000.

Median household income in Shelby is $50,705 compared to $47,294 in Wilson (+7.2%). While Shelby 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 21.3% of their income on rent, less than the 23.5% in Wilson.