Shelley, ID vs St. Maries, ID

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. St. Maries is 17.4% cheaper than Shelley. With a cost index of 77 vs 90, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from St. Maries to Shelley should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Shelley is $1,212/month compared to $859/month in St. Maries — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Maries is more affordable at $205,400 median vs $267,200.

Median household income in Shelley is $63,864 compared to $52,468 in St. Maries (+21.7%). While Shelley is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Shelley spend roughly 22.8% of their income on rent, more than the 19.6% in St. Maries.