Rents are 7% below what Chelsea's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,643 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Chelsea, MA is majority renter-occupied, 22.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Chelsea, MA has changed in 5 years
Rent in Chelsea, MA has increased 45.1% since 2021, going from about $1,822 per month to roughly $2,643 today. On the earnings side, the typical household in Chelsea, MA now reports about $72,179, up from $64,782 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 33.7 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. About 74% of households rent today, against 71.8% in 2021. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Chelsea, MA reflects that arc in its own way.
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Can you afford rent in Chelsea on your salary?
At $2,643/mo, how Chelsea rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Chelsea rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Chelsea. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Chelsea
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Chelsea is $2,643/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,000/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,550/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,140/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,080/mo.
At 44% of local median household income ($72,179/yr), Chelsea ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chelsea an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Chelsea?
Is rent going up or down in Chelsea?
How does Chelsea rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
What percentage of Chelsea residents rent vs. own?
How does Chelsea rent compare to the national average?
At $2,643/mo, rent takes ~44% of Chelsea's median household income ($72,179/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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