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City Report · WA

Shelton

Pop. 10,612·97th most expensive in Washington·Rental market data updated monthly for Shelton, WA
Median rent (all units)
$1,553/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+1.6%
vs US Median
-$412
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Shelton · $1,553
More affordable than 72% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,553/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$62,000/yr
Local median income
$69,598/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Shelton's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$970
1 BR
$980
2 BR
$1,280
3 BR
$1,790
4 BR+
$1,950
Research median
$1,280/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$18,636/yr
At $1,553/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
10,612
Median income
$69,598
Median age
32.5
Renters
38%
Age distribution
28.7%
26.3%
20.1%
13.8%
Under 1828.7%
18–3426.3%
35–5420.1%
55–6411.2%
65+13.8%
Gender
48%
52%
Male48%
Female52%
Race & ethnicity
67%
28.2%
White67%
Hispanic28.2%
Asian0.9%
Other3.7%
Education (25+)
16.8%
31.7%
33.4%
18.1%
No HS diploma16.8%
HS diploma31.7%
Some college33.4%
Bachelor's+18.1%
Housing tenure
62%
38%
Owner62%
Renter38%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Shelton, WA has changed in 5 years

Income
$48,000 → $69,598
up 45.0%
Population
10,288 → 10,612
up 3.1%
Renter share
51.6% → 38%
-13.6 pts
Bachelor's+
13.9% → 18.1%
+4.2 pts
Median age
31.8 → 32.5
+0.7 yrs

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%.

Community

Discussions about Shelton

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

Can you afford rent in Shelton on your salary?

At $1,553/mo, how Shelton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Shelton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Shelton

About renting in Shelton, WA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Shelton is $1,553/mo as of July 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 27% of local median household income ($69,598/yr), Shelton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Shelton an affordable city for renters?

Shelton is considered affordable for renters. At $1,553/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($69,598/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Shelton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Shelton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $62,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,553/mo in Shelton. The local median household income is $69,598/yr, meaning the typical Shelton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Shelton?

Rent in Shelton has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Shelton rent compare to other cities in Washington?

Shelton is one of the more affordable cities in Washington for rent, ranking #97 out of 110 tracked cities at $1,553/mo.

What percentage of Shelton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38% of Shelton households are renters, while 62% are owner-occupied. Shelton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Shelton rent compare to the national average?

Shelton's median rent of $1,553/mo is $412 (21%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Washington, it ranks #97 out of 110 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,553/mo, rent takes ~27% of Shelton's median household income ($69,598/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Shelton 27%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Shelton affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Shelton, WA

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