salaryRent is lower than in 59% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are long, about 33.2 minutes each way. Most homes (90%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $59,520 a year. That is $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Alabama cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Alabama. It is number 92 of 120 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Chelsea?
Share of households by yearly income. 43.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Chelsea
| Size | Chelsea | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $840 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,513 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Chelsea overall?
Everyday prices in Alabama overall are 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Chelsea, so the Alabama figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Chelsea
Life in Chelsea
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Chelsea?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,010 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $360,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $36,000 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Chelsea, AL?
Renting in Chelsea costs a median of about $1,488 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alabama median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Chelsea?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $59,520 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Chelsea cheap or expensive?
Chelsea is rated Cheap: rent takes 14.4% of the typical household income of $124,391. It ranks 92nd cheapest of 120 Alabama cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Chelsea?
The median homeowner in Chelsea pays $1,393 a year in property taxes, about 0.39% of the median home value.
Is Chelsea more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Alabama are 11% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Chelsea?
The median home value in Chelsea is $360,000, about 2.9 times the typical yearly household income.
16,260 people live in Chelsea. Numbers are typical (middle) values.