Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Chelsea, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.7% of gross income.
Chelsea rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts state estimate).
About rent and a plumber salary
Plumber pay sits comfortably above the US median household income and covers affordable rent in most US metros. At the national-average plumber salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,678 a month in rent. The per-city pages combine local rent with local plumber-pay estimates so renters can see where the math works.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Chelsea, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chelsea
View full rent data for Chelsea, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a plumber afford rent in Chelsea, MA?
Median rent in Chelsea is $2,643 a month. A typical plumber in Massachusetts earns about $77,836 a year, which makes that rent 40.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a plumber afford in Chelsea?
Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Massachusetts (~$77,836/yr) supports up to $1,946 a month in rent. Chelsea's current median rent is $2,643/mo, which is $697/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Chelsea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $37 an hour, a plumber in Massachusetts works roughly 70.6 hours a month to cover Chelsea's median rent of $2,643.
Where is rent cheaper than Chelsea for a plumber?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Wakefield ($2,642/mo), Plymouth ($2,642/mo), Malden ($2,642/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.