Shelley ID Skyline · Sociotard / CC BY 3.0John F Shelley Family · Unknown authorUnknown author / Public domainSpud Day from above · Pastelitodepapa / CC BY-SA 3.0Shelley ID HighSchool and BringkmanPark · Sociotard / CC BY 3.0
Shelley is a small town of 4,878 in Idaho, with a median household income of $64,783
and a 9.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is
6% below the national average.
Strengths:
Shelley stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Shelley is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Shelley city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 94.2
Shelley's overall cost of living index is 94.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Shelley costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.
Metric
Shelley, ID
National Avg
Median Home Value
$231,300
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,006
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
75.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$64,783
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Shelley's violent crime rate is 207.4 per 100,000 residents
— 45% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
207.4 /100k
Property Crime
886.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Shelley is served primarily by SHELLEY JOINT DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 20.2:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Shelley, ID
National Avg
School District
SHELLEY JOINT DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
20.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
20.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
88.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Shelley sees average highs of 28.7°F in January
and 86.6°F in July,
with 10.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 14.7 inches of snow per year.
Shelley's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Shelley roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $231,300 and median rent is $1,006/month.
Shelley's violent crime rate is 207.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 886.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Shelley are operated by SHELLEY JOINT DISTRICT.
The district has 3 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 20.2:1. 20.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Shelley, ID has a population of 4,878, a median household income of $64,783, and an unemployment rate of 9.4%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Shelley averages 28.7°F in January and 86.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 10.1 inches
with about 14.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Shelley, ID is covered by 1 ZIP code: 83274.
The population of Shelley, Idaho is 4,878 with a median age of 29.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Shelley: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $231,300, median household income $64,783, crime index 50 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Shelley side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
