| Index | Shelton | Connecticut | National |
| Cost of living | 128 | 118 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 106 | 100 |
| Health care | 108 | 111 | 100 |
| Housing | 174 | 139 | 100 |
| Transportation | 109 | 107 | 100 |
| Utilities | 108 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 110 | 110 | 100 |
| Household Items | 107 | 106 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 113 | 116 | 100 |
The cost of living in Shelton affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Shelton is 128, which is 28% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Shelton may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Shelton falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Shelton cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 74.3% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 9 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Shelton. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 11% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 89% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Shelton an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Shelton is 88.5% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 41.1% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Shelton has a median household income of $145,828, which is 79.3% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Shelton comes in at 8.1% higher than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Shelton, the housing index is 74.3% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Shelton, healthcare costs are 8.4% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Shelton are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $167,241 | $13,937 | $3,902 | $5,018 |
| Renters | $65,434 | $5,453 | $1,527 | $1,963 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | 6.35% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Connecticut | 3% | 6.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Naugatuck, CT | 32,241 | 108 | 7.7% |
| Bridgeport, CT | 149,398 | 109 | 8.6% |
| Heritage Village, CT | 4,620 | 109 | 9.2% |
| Derby, CT | 12,684 | 109 | 9.1% |
| West Haven, CT | 56,258 | 109 | 9.5% |
| Shelton, CT | 42,033 | 128 | 27.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Hickory, NC | 42,059 | 98 | 2.1% |
| Lancaster, OH | 41,994 | 91 | 9.3% |
| Wilkes-Barre, PA | 41,994 | 86 | 13.8% |
| Hutchinson, KS | 42,073 | 86 | 14.1% |
| Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC | 42,121 | n/a | |
| Shelton, CT | 42,033 | 128 | 27.7% |
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