City Report · IN

Shelbyville

Pop. 20,296·52nd most expensive in Indiana·Shelbyville rents have dropped 5.8%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,058/mo
Year-over-Year
-5.8%
Month-over-Month
-4.7%
vs US Median
-$904
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Shelbyville · $1,058
More affordable than 96% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,058/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$42,000/yr
Local median income
$55,602/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Shelbyville's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$890
1 BR
$1,040
2 BR
$1,220
3 BR
$1,590
4 BR+
$1,920
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,220/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,058 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$12,696/yr
At $1,058/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 5.8% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-5.8% YoY, -4.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Shelbyville, IN is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 19.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
20,296
Median income
$55,602
Median age
36.3
Renters
44.8%
Age distribution
24%
23.3%
23.4%
12.7%
16.6%
Under 1824%
18–3423.3%
35–5423.4%
55–6412.7%
65+16.6%
Gender
48.6%
51.4%
Male48.6%
Female51.4%
Race & ethnicity
85.7%
White85.7%
Black2.5%
Hispanic10%
Asian1.8%
Education (25+)
43.8%
26.3%
19.4%
No HS diploma10.5%
HS diploma43.8%
Some college26.3%
Bachelor's+19.4%
Housing tenure
55.2%
44.8%
Owner55.2%
Renter44.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Shelbyville, IN has changed in 5 years

Income
$55,950 → $55,602
down 0.6%
Population
19,710 → 20,296
up 3.0%
Renter share
42.5% → 44.8%
+2.3 pts
Bachelor's+
16% → 19.4%
+3.4 pts
Median age
35.2 → 36.3
+1.1 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Shelbyville, IN now reports about $55,602, up from $55,950 in 2021. The population has grown by 3.0% since 2021, moving from about 19,710 residents to roughly 20,296. Renters now make up 44.8% of households, compared with 42.5% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 19.4% of adults here, versus 16% in 2021.

Community

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View Shelbyville rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Shelbyville on your salary?

At $1,058/mo, how Shelbyville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Shelbyville rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Shelbyville. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Shelbyville

About renting in Shelbyville, IN

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Shelbyville is $1,058/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $890/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,220/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,040/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,590/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($55,602/yr), Shelbyville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 5.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Shelbyville an affordable city for renters?

Shelbyville is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,058/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($55,602/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Shelbyville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Shelbyville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $42,000/year (~$20/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,058/mo in Shelbyville. The local median household income is $55,602/yr, meaning the typical Shelbyville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Shelbyville?

Rent in Shelbyville has decreased 5.8% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Shelbyville rent compare to other cities in Indiana?

Shelbyville is one of the more affordable cities in Indiana for rent, ranking #52 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,058/mo.

What percentage of Shelbyville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.8% of Shelbyville households are renters, while 55.2% are owner-occupied. Shelbyville leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Shelbyville rent compare to the national average?

Shelbyville's median rent of $1,058/mo is $904 (46%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Indiana, it ranks #52 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,058/mo, rent takes ~23% of Shelbyville's median household income ($55,602/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Shelbyville 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.05%
Run the Shelbyville affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Shelbyville, IN

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