Shelby, OH vs Zanesville, OH

Shelby is moderately more affordable than Zanesville, with a 6.9% lower cost of living index. Shelby scores 62 compared to 67 for Zanesville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Zanesville can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Shelby is $724/month compared to $812/month in Zanesville — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Shelby has cheaper rent, Zanesville actually has lower median home values ($106,900 vs $117,300).

Median household income in Shelby is $52,760 compared to $39,085 in Zanesville (+35%). 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 16.5% of their income on rent, less than the 24.9% in Zanesville.