Studio Apartment Rent in Chelmsford, MA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Chelmsford, Massachusetts as of July 2026. That's +35% lower than the citywide median of $2,680 and +34% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Chelmsford
Compare Chelmsford's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Massachusetts
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicopee | $970 |
| 2 | Holyoke | $970 |
| 3 | Westfield | $1,000 |
| 4 | Gardner | $1,010 |
| 5 | New Bedford | $1,030 |
| 6 | Springfield | $1,055 |
| 7 | Fitchburg | $1,080 |
| 8 | Pittsfield | $1,120 |
| 9 | Spencer | $1,160 |
| 10 | Webster | $1,160 |
| 11 | Fall River | $1,170 |
| 12 | Leominster | $1,190 |
| 13 | Lawrence | $1,290 |
| 14 | Haverhill | $1,300 |
| 15 | Amherst | $1,330 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Massachusetts
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $3,360 |
| 2 | Wellesley | $3,180 |
| 3 | Brookline | $3,133 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $3,080 |
| 5 | Concord | $2,780 |
| 6 | Wilmington | $2,690 |
| 7 | Somerville | $2,633 |
| 8 | Burlington | $2,580 |
| 9 | Bedford | $2,580 |
| 10 | Belmont | $2,570 |
| 11 | Boston | $2,544 |
| 12 | Ashland | $2,500 |
| 13 | Winchester | $2,470 |
| 14 | Swampscott | $2,470 |
| 15 | Medford | $2,470 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Chelmsford.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Chelmsford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell, MA | 4.1 mi | $1,408 | $-327 (-19%) |
| Billerica, MA | 7.6 mi | $1,840 | +$105 (+6%) |
| Bedford, MA | 10 mi | $2,580 | +$845 (+49%) |
| Tewksbury, MA | 10 mi | $2,230 | +$495 (+29%) |
| Concord, MA | 10.3 mi | $2,780 | +$1,045 (+60%) |
| Burlington, MA | 14 mi | $2,580 | +$845 (+49%) |
| Lexington, MA | 15.1 mi | $3,360 | +$1,625 (+94%) |
| Woburn, MA | 17.3 mi | $2,350 | +$615 (+35%) |
| Waltham, MA | 18.2 mi | $2,463 | +$728 (+42%) |
| Winchester, MA | 19.2 mi | $2,470 | +$735 (+42%) |
| Merrimack, NH | 19.4 mi | $1,670 | $-65 (-4%) |
| Arlington, MA | 19.5 mi | $2,200 | +$465 (+27%) |
Studio rent in Chelmsford — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Chelmsford?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Chelmsford, Massachusetts is $1,735 per month. This is +35% below the citywide median of $2,680.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Chelmsford?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $69,400 ($5,783/month gross), which works out to roughly $33.37/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chelmsford expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Chelmsford's studio median of $1,735 is +34% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 78th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chelmsford rank for studio rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 106 cities in Massachusetts with studio data, Chelmsford ranks #28 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Chelmsford?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Lowell ($1,408), Merrimack ($1,670).