1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chelsea, MA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Chelsea, Massachusetts as of July 2026. That's +19% lower than the citywide median of $2,628 and +53% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom 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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Chelsea
Compare Chelsea'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
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 1-bedroom rents than Chelsea.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Chelsea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everett, MA | 1.7 mi | $2,180 | +$40 (+2%) |
| Revere, MA | 2.6 mi | $2,140 | — |
| Malden, MA | 2.9 mi | $2,420 | +$280 (+13%) |
| Winthrop, MA | 4.2 mi | $2,140 | — |
| Somerville, MA | 5 mi | $2,787 | +$647 (+30%) |
| Saugus, MA | 5.1 mi | $2,140 | — |
| Cambridge, MA | 5.5 mi | $3,254 | +$1,114 (+52%) |
| Medford, MA | 5.6 mi | $2,620 | +$480 (+22%) |
| Boston, MA | 5.7 mi | $2,698 | +$558 (+26%) |
| Lynn, MA | 7.1 mi | $2,140 | — |
| Wakefield, MA | 7.6 mi | $2,140 | — |
| Winchester, MA | 8.7 mi | $2,620 | +$480 (+22%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Chelsea — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Chelsea?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Chelsea, Massachusetts is $2,140 per month. This is +19% below the citywide median of $2,628.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Chelsea?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $85,600 ($7,133/month gross), which works out to roughly $41.15/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chelsea expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chelsea's 1-bedroom median of $2,140 is +53% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 87th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chelsea rank for 1-bedroom rent in Massachusetts?
Among the 106 cities in Massachusetts with 1-bedroom data, Chelsea ranks #36 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Chelsea?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 1-bedroom rents than Chelsea.