Cost of Living in Shelbyville, TN

Population 24,125 · Tennessee · Data vintage 2023

73
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Shelbyville sits on the smaller end of the Tennessee city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. An unemployment rate of 3.0% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 25 miles south of Murfreesboro, Shelbyville falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 38% lower than Murfreesboro's $365,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 74
Rent 71

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Shelbyville

The median home value in Shelbyville is $224,700 — 26% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $935/month, 29% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,290/year is 30% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.0%, below the national average of 4.8%. Tennessee charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Shelbyville has a cost of living index of 73 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 27% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$224,700
26% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$307,389
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$935/mo
29% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,661/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.0x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$809
2 BR
$948
3 BR
$1,265
4 BR
$1,510
Owner-occupied 48.3%
Renter-occupied 51.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$935
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,549/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
28.8 min
7% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.9%
Carpooled
21.4%
Walked
0.5%
Work from home
5.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 9.6%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$52,290
30% below avg
Per Capita Income
$24,563
Unemployment Rate
3.0%
38% below avg
Poverty Rate
20.3%
Labor Force Participation
68.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 7.5%
Graduate degree 4.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 32
Male median age 29.1
Female median age 34.3

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
14
Public schools
8,968
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Shelbyville, TN?

Shelbyville has a cost index of 73 (100 = national average). It is 27% below the national average.

What is average rent in Shelbyville, TN?

The median gross rent in Shelbyville is $935 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Shelbyville?

The median home value in Shelbyville is $224,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Shelbyville?

The median household income in Shelbyville is $52,290 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Shelbyville, TN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Shelbyville is 9.6%. Tennessee has no state income tax.

Is Shelbyville, TN affordable?

Yes, Shelbyville is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 73 — about 27% below the US national average of 100.