Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Chelsea, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 53.1% of gross income.
Chelsea rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts state estimate).
About rent and an auto mechanic salary
Auto mechanic pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Master techs and dealership flat-rate techs often earn well above the BLS figure, which expands affordability further. At the national-average mechanic salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,282 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets stay in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Chelsea, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chelsea
View full rent data for Chelsea, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Chelsea, MA?
Median rent in Chelsea is $2,632 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Massachusetts earns about $59,473 a year, which makes that rent 53.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can an auto mechanic afford in Chelsea?
Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Massachusetts (~$59,473/yr) supports up to $1,487 a month in rent. Chelsea's current median rent is $2,632/mo, which is $1,145/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Chelsea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, an auto mechanic in Massachusetts works roughly 92.1 hours a month to cover Chelsea's median rent of $2,632.
Where is rent cheaper than Chelsea for an auto mechanic?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Salem ($2,631/mo), Bridgewater ($2,630/mo), North Andover ($2,630/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.