3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chelmsford, MA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Chelmsford, Massachusetts as of August 2026. That's +15% higher than the citywide median of $2,590 and +40% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Bedford | $1,660 |
| 2 | Chicopee | $1,690 |
| 3 | Holyoke | $1,690 |
| 4 | Fairhaven | $1,710 |
| 5 | Westfield | $1,760 |
| 6 | Spencer | $1,810 |
| 7 | Ware | $1,810 |
| 8 | Webster | $1,820 |
| 9 | Springfield | $1,840 |
| 10 | Fall River | $1,850 |
| 11 | Gardner | $1,920 |
| 12 | Fitchburg | $2,050 |
| 13 | Pittsfield | $2,090 |
| 14 | Attleboro | $2,170 |
| 15 | Lawrence | $2,285 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Massachusetts
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $5,070 |
| 2 | Wellesley | $4,810 |
| 3 | Brookline | $4,723 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $4,646 |
| 5 | Concord | $4,190 |
| 6 | Wilmington | $4,060 |
| 7 | Westford | $4,050 |
| 8 | Somerville | $3,977 |
| 9 | Tewksbury | $3,920 |
| 10 | Burlington | $3,900 |
| 11 | Bedford | $3,890 |
| 12 | Belmont | $3,880 |
| 13 | Boston | $3,856 |
| 14 | Ashland | $3,780 |
| 15 | Winchester | $3,730 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Chelmsford.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Chelmsford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell, MA | 4.1 mi | $2,475 | $-505 (-17%) |
| Billerica, MA | 7.6 mi | $3,145 | +$165 (+6%) |
| Bedford, MA | 10 mi | $3,890 | +$910 (+31%) |
| Tewksbury, MA | 10 mi | $3,920 | +$940 (+32%) |
| Concord, MA | 10.3 mi | $4,190 | +$1,210 (+41%) |
| Burlington, MA | 14 mi | $3,900 | +$920 (+31%) |
| Maynard, MA | 14.1 mi | $3,080 | +$100 (+3%) |
| Lexington, MA | 15.1 mi | $5,070 | +$2,090 (+70%) |
| Woburn, MA | 17.3 mi | $3,550 | +$570 (+19%) |
| Waltham, MA | 18.2 mi | $3,720 | +$740 (+25%) |
| Winchester, MA | 19.2 mi | $3,730 | +$750 (+25%) |
| Merrimack, NH | 19.4 mi | $3,230 | +$250 (+8%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Chelmsford — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Chelmsford?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Chelmsford, Massachusetts is $2,980 per month. This is +15% higher than the citywide median of $2,590.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Chelmsford?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $119,200 ($9,933/month gross), which works out to roughly $57.31/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chelmsford expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chelmsford's 3-bedroom median of $2,980 is +40% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 80th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chelmsford rank for 3-bedroom rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 111 cities in Massachusetts with 3-bedroom data, Chelmsford ranks #28 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Chelmsford?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Lowell ($2,475).