salaryRent is higher than in 86% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.3 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 32.9 minutes each way. Most households rent (74%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $100,200 a year. That is $48 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Massachusetts. It is number 76 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Chelsea?
Share of households by yearly income. 24.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Chelsea
| Size | Chelsea | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,981 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,520 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,261 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,262 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,859 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Chelsea overall?
Everyday prices in Massachusetts overall are 6% above the U.S. average (index 105.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Chelsea, so the Massachusetts 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 $919 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $493,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $49,350 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Chelsea, MA?
Renting in Chelsea costs a median of about $2,505 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Chelsea?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $100,200 a year, or $48 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Chelsea cheap or expensive?
Chelsea is rated Expensive: rent takes 38.6% of the typical household income of $77,845. It ranks 76th cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Chelsea?
The median homeowner in Chelsea pays $3,321 a year in property taxes, about 0.67% of the median home value.
Is Chelsea more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Massachusetts are 6% above 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 $493,500, about 6.3 times the typical yearly household income.
39,908 people live in Chelsea. Numbers are typical (middle) values.