Studio Apartment Rent in Chelsea, AL
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Chelsea, Alabama as of July 2026. That's +46% lower than the citywide median of $2,151 and +9% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Chelsea
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Chelsea
Compare Chelsea's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Alabama
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jasper | $590 |
| 2 | Gadsden | $620 |
| 3 | Daleville | $670 |
| 4 | Enterprise | $670 |
| 5 | Florence | $670 |
| 6 | Ozark | $670 |
| 7 | Jacksonville | $680 |
| 8 | Cullman | $700 |
| 9 | Troy | $750 |
| 10 | Decatur | $755 |
| 11 | Oxford | $760 |
| 12 | Opelika | $765 |
| 13 | Saraland | $780 |
| 14 | Dothan | $783 |
| 15 | Muscle Shoals | $790 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Alabama
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helena | $1,450 |
| 2 | Owens Cross Roads | $1,390 |
| 3 | Calera | $1,290 |
| 4 | Hoover | $1,270 |
| 5 | Madison | $1,253 |
| 6 | Pike Road | $1,240 |
| 7 | Pelham | $1,220 |
| 8 | Vestavia Hills | $1,210 |
| 9 | Trussville | $1,210 |
| 10 | Homewood | $1,210 |
| 11 | Meridianville | $1,180 |
| 12 | Spanish Fort | $1,170 |
| 13 | Chelsea (this page) | $1,170 |
| 14 | Fairhope | $1,140 |
| 15 | Alabaster | $1,120 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Chelsea.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Chelsea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelham, AL | 5.7 mi | $1,220 | +$50 (+4%) |
| Vestavia Hills, AL | 11.5 mi | $1,210 | +$40 (+3%) |
| Alabaster, AL | 11.7 mi | $1,120 | $-50 (-4%) |
| Hoover, AL | 12.8 mi | $1,270 | +$100 (+9%) |
| Homewood, AL | 14.8 mi | $1,210 | +$40 (+3%) |
| Calera, AL | 15.4 mi | $1,290 | +$120 (+10%) |
| Irondale, AL | 15.7 mi | $950 | $-220 (-19%) |
| Birmingham, AL | 15.7 mi | $1,042 | $-128 (-11%) |
| Leeds, AL | 16.6 mi | $900 | $-270 (-23%) |
| Helena, AL | 17.8 mi | $1,450 | +$280 (+24%) |
| Montevallo, AL | 19.9 mi | $890 | $-280 (-24%) |
| Midfield, AL | 20.5 mi | $910 | $-260 (-22%) |
Studio rent in Chelsea — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Chelsea?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Chelsea, Alabama is $1,170 per month. This is +46% below the citywide median of $2,151.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Chelsea?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $46,800 ($3,900/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.50/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chelsea expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Chelsea's studio median of $1,170 is +9% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 40th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chelsea rank for studio rent in Alabama?
Among the 65 cities in Alabama with studio data, Chelsea ranks #53 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Chelsea?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Alabaster ($1,120), Irondale ($950), Birmingham ($1,042).