1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chelmsford, MA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Chelmsford, Massachusetts as of July 2026. That's +29% lower than the citywide median of $2,680 and +35% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Chelmsford
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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Chelmsford
Compare Chelmsford's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicopee | $1,120 |
| 2 | Holyoke | $1,120 |
| 3 | New Bedford | $1,120 |
| 4 | Westfield | $1,160 |
| 5 | Spencer | $1,170 |
| 6 | Webster | $1,170 |
| 7 | Gardner | $1,180 |
| 8 | Springfield | $1,215 |
| 9 | Fall River | $1,260 |
| 10 | Fitchburg | $1,260 |
| 11 | Pittsfield | $1,280 |
| 12 | Leominster | $1,390 |
| 13 | Clinton | $1,410 |
| 14 | Haverhill | $1,447 |
| 15 | Lawrence | $1,450 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $3,550 |
| 2 | Wellesley | $3,370 |
| 3 | Brookline | $3,310 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $3,254 |
| 5 | Concord | $2,940 |
| 6 | Wilmington | $2,840 |
| 7 | Somerville | $2,787 |
| 8 | Burlington | $2,730 |
| 9 | Bedford | $2,730 |
| 10 | Belmont | $2,720 |
| 11 | Boston | $2,698 |
| 12 | Ashland | $2,650 |
| 13 | Winchester | $2,620 |
| 14 | Swampscott | $2,620 |
| 15 | Medford | $2,620 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Chelmsford.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Chelmsford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell, MA | 4.1 mi | $1,565 | $-325 (-17%) |
| Billerica, MA | 7.6 mi | $2,005 | +$115 (+6%) |
| Bedford, MA | 10 mi | $2,730 | +$840 (+44%) |
| Tewksbury, MA | 10 mi | $2,480 | +$590 (+31%) |
| Concord, MA | 10.3 mi | $2,940 | +$1,050 (+56%) |
| Burlington, MA | 14 mi | $2,730 | +$840 (+44%) |
| Lexington, MA | 15.1 mi | $3,550 | +$1,660 (+88%) |
| Woburn, MA | 17.3 mi | $2,490 | +$600 (+32%) |
| Waltham, MA | 18.2 mi | $2,603 | +$713 (+38%) |
| Winchester, MA | 19.2 mi | $2,620 | +$730 (+39%) |
| Merrimack, NH | 19.4 mi | $1,850 | $-40 (-2%) |
| Arlington, MA | 19.5 mi | $2,325 | +$435 (+23%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Chelmsford — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Chelmsford?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Chelmsford, Massachusetts is $1,890 per month. This is +29% below the citywide median of $2,680.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Chelmsford?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $75,600 ($6,300/month gross), which works out to roughly $36.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chelmsford expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chelmsford's 1-bedroom median of $1,890 is +35% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 78th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chelmsford rank for 1-bedroom rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 106 cities in Massachusetts with 1-bedroom data, Chelmsford ranks #28 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Chelmsford?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Lowell ($1,565), Merrimack ($1,850).