At $1,803/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,803 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($69,598) is $1,740 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,280); a 3-bedroom is $1,790.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Shelton. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Shelton, WA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 18.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Shelton, WA has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $48,000 in 2021 to $69,598 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 10,288 to 10,612 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.1% change. About 38% of households rent today, against 51.6% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 13.9% to 18.1%.
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At $1,803/mo, how Shelton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Shelton rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Shelton. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Shelton
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Shelton is $1,803/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $970/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,280/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $980/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,790/mo.
At 31% of local median household income ($69,598/yr), Shelton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does Shelton rent compare to other cities in Washington?
At $1,803/mo, rent takes ~31% of Shelton's median household income ($69,598/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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