Skip to main content
LiveWhere us
Sidney, OH

Cost of living in Shelby County, OH

Estimated monthly cost
$2,681/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 48,007 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $729 27%
Federal tax $548 20%
Healthcare $480 18%
Groceries $320 12%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $194 7%
Water $50 2%
State tax $40 1%

Rent in Shelby County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$656
per month
1 bedroom
$729
per month
2 bedroom
$957
per month
3 bedroom
$1,280
per month
4 bedroom
$1,349
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Shelby County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$72,822
per year
Individual earnings
$43,534
per year
Per capita
$36,711
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Shelby County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$190,300
Annual property tax
$1,919

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Shelby County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$131
per month · 15.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$63
per month
Annual total
$2,328
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Shelby County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.7%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Shelby County

State and local tax rates for Ohio.

State income tax
3.5%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
5.8%
Combined sales tax
7.2%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Shelby County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
19.5 min
Drive alone
83.8%
Public transit
0.2%
Work from home
4.4%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Shelby County

What it costs to live in Shelby County each month.

Single person
$2,681
per month
  • Rent $729
  • Energy $194
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $320
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $548
  • State tax $40
Couple
$4,033
per month
  • Rent $957
  • Energy $233
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $530
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $862
  • State tax $107
Family
$6,485
per month
  • Rent $1,280
  • Energy $291
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $805
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $862
  • State tax $107

Frequently asked questions about Shelby County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Shelby County?

In Shelby County, OH, a one-bedroom apartment averages $729 per month, a two-bedroom averages $957 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,280 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Shelby County?

In Shelby County, OH, the average household income is $72,822 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $43,534 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Shelby County?

The estimated cost of living in Shelby County, OH is approximately $2,681 per month for a single person, $4,033 for a couple, $6,485 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Shelby County?

The combined sales tax rate in Shelby County, OH is 7.24%, which includes the Ohio state rate of 5.75% plus an average local rate of 1.49%.

Is Shelby County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Shelby County, OH would need approximately $2,681 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $72,822 per year ($6,069 per month). Shelby County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Shelby County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Shelby County, OH is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Shelby County?

The average home value in Shelby County, OH is $190,300, with average annual property taxes of $1,919, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Shelby County compare to other areas?

You can compare Shelby County, OH with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Shelby County is in the Sidney, OH metro area.

Other counties in Ohio

Browse the full list of counties in Ohio, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Ohio

Compare Shelby County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources