Shelby, NE vs Union, NE

Shelby is moderately more affordable than Union, with a 12.3% lower cost of living index. Shelby scores 57 compared to 65 for Union, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Union can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Shelby is $521/month compared to $775/month in Union — a 33% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Shelby has cheaper rent, Union actually has lower median home values ($109,400 vs $112,200).

Median household income in Shelby is $75,795 compared to $57,500 in Union (+31.8%). 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 8.2% of their income on rent, less than the 16.2% in Union.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.3°F vs 51.2°F). Union receives more rainfall at 32.3" per year compared to 29.3" in Shelby.