Cost of Living in Shelby County, Indiana
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Shelby County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Shelby County ranks #2,214 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 30%)
Sourced county brief
Shelby County Median Home Value Reaches $212,400
The median home value in Shelby County was $212,400, which is $20,501 higher than the Indiana unweighted county mean of $191,899. For renters, the median gross rent was estimated at $987 per month, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $911. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 24.5%, according to ACS table B25071. This official GRAPI metric is 2.4 percentage points lower than the Indiana unweighted county mean of 26.9%. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $1,052, which is $101 above the state unweighted county mean of $951. Renter-household median income was estimated at $44,824 for the 2020-2024 period. These data points provide a snapshot of housing-tenure costs and are not intended for use as market predictions or investment advice. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Shelby County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 24.5% of renter household income in Shelby County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $987 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,052. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $39,480 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Indiana unweighted mean of county median rents is $911 per month. Shelby County's $987 median is 8.4% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Shelby County
Rent Burden
16.4%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,684
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.5%
of gross income
The median home in Shelby County may be a stretch
Median home value is $212,400. Estimated monthly cost: $1,696 vs. your max of $1,684.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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