salaryRent is higher than in 87% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 30.3 minutes each way. Most homes (76.5%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $103,560 a year. That is $50 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Connecticut cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Connecticut. It is number 52 of 64 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Shelton?
Share of households by yearly income. 43.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Shelton
| Size | Shelton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,277 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,704 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,213 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,450 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,293 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Shelton overall?
Everyday prices in the Waterbury-Shelton metro area are same as the U.S. average (index 99.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Shelton
Life in Shelton
What jobs pay in Shelton
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $157,380 | 19.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $141,530 | 22.0% |
| Pharmacist | $138,110 | 22.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,120 | 23.2% |
| Software Developer | $131,290 | 23.7% |
| Operations Manager | $130,900 | 23.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,080 | 29.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $101,690 | 30.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,670 | 30.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $99,620 | 31.2% |
| Accountant | $93,010 | 33.4% |
| Police Officer | $82,830 | 37.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,640 | 39.0% |
| Firefighter | $77,630 | 40.0% |
| Plumber | $76,880 | 40.4% |
| Electrician | $75,850 | 41.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $72,710 | 42.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $72,070 | 43.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $71,850 | 43.2% |
| Carpenter | $62,250 | 49.9% |
| Truck Driver | $59,750 | 52.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,010 | 66.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,590 | 66.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,010 | 72.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,500 | 78.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,570 | 80.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,890 | 84.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,360 | 87.9% |
| Cashier | $35,100 | 88.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Shelton?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $551 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $452,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $45,260 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Shelton, CT?
Renting in Shelton costs a median of about $2,589 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Connecticut median is $1,920.
How much do I need to make to live in Shelton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $103,560 a year, or $50 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Shelton cheap or expensive?
Shelton is rated OK: rent takes 26.6% of the typical household income of $116,678. It ranks 52nd cheapest of 64 Connecticut cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Shelton?
The median homeowner in Shelton pays $5,409 a year in property taxes, about 1.20% of the median home value.
Is Shelton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are same as the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Shelton?
The median home value in Shelton is $452,600, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
41,889 people live in Shelton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.