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City Report · AL

Chelsea

Pop. 16,260·3rd most expensive in Alabama·Chelsea rents are up 5.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,151/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.8%
Month-over-Month
+2.1%
vs US Median
+$186
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Chelsea · $2,151
More expensive than 67% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,151/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$86,000/yr
Local median income
$115,337/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Chelsea's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,170
1 BR
$1,350
2 BR
$1,490
3 BR
$1,860
4 BR+
$2,110
Research median
$1,490/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$25,812/yr
At $2,151/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.8% YoY, +2.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Chelsea, AL is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 48.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
16,260
Median income
$115,337
Median age
37.6
Renters
10%
Age distribution
25.1%
20.5%
26.8%
15.6%
Under 1825.1%
18–3420.5%
35–5426.8%
55–6411.9%
65+15.6%
Gender
51.7%
48.3%
Male51.7%
Female48.3%
Race & ethnicity
81.7%
White81.7%
Black8.5%
Hispanic6%
Asian0.8%
Other3%
Education (25+)
15.5%
33.7%
48.5%
No HS diploma2.4%
HS diploma15.5%
Some college33.7%
Bachelor's+48.5%
Housing tenure
90%
Owner90%
Renter10%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Chelsea, AL has changed in 5 years

Income
$93,658 → $115,337
up 23.1%
Population
14,710 → 16,260
up 10.5%
Renter share
11.1% → 10%
-1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
41% → 48.5%
+7.5 pts
Median age
36.6 → 37.6
+1.0 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $93,658 to $115,337 across the same window, up 23.1% versus 2021. Census counts show Chelsea, AL adding about 1,550 residents over the five-year window, up 10.5% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 41% to 48.5% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Chelsea

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View Chelsea rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Chelsea on your salary?

At $2,151/mo, how Chelsea rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Chelsea rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Chelsea. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Chelsea

About renting in Chelsea, AL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Chelsea is $2,151/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,170/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,490/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,350/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,860/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($115,337/yr), Chelsea ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Chelsea an affordable city for renters?

Chelsea is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,151/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($115,337/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Chelsea falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Chelsea?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $86,000/year (~$41/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,151/mo in Chelsea. The local median household income is $115,337/yr, meaning the typical Chelsea household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Chelsea?

Rent in Chelsea has increased 5.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Chelsea rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Chelsea is one of the pricier cities in Alabama for rent, ranking #3 out of 70 tracked cities at $2,151/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Chelsea?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Chelsea ($2,151/mo): Lake Purdy ($1,222/mo), Hoover ($1,378/mo), Pelham ($1,760/mo).

What percentage of Chelsea residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 10% of Chelsea households are renters, while 90% are owner-occupied. Chelsea leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Chelsea rent compare to the national average?

Chelsea's median rent of $2,151/mo is $186 (9%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Alabama, it ranks #3 out of 70 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,151/mo, rent takes ~22% of Chelsea's median household income ($115,337/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Chelsea 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5%
Run the Chelsea affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Chelsea
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Chelsea, AL

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