Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Chelmsford, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.3% of gross income.
Chelmsford rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts state estimate).
About rent and a real estate agent salary
Real estate agent pay is commission-driven and varies widely with local market conditions. The BLS mean averages high and low producers. At the national-average agent salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,640 a month in rent — though successful agents in active markets earn well above this.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Chelmsford, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chelmsford
View full rent data for Chelmsford, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a real estate agent afford rent in Chelmsford, MA?
Median rent in Chelmsford is $2,680 a month. A typical real estate agent in Massachusetts earns about $76,073 a year, which makes that rent 42.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a real estate agent afford in Chelmsford?
Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Massachusetts (~$76,073/yr) supports up to $1,902 a month in rent. Chelmsford's current median rent is $2,680/mo, which is $778/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Chelmsford?
At an hourly equivalent of about $37 an hour, a real estate agent in Massachusetts works roughly 73.3 hours a month to cover Chelmsford's median rent of $2,680.
Where is rent cheaper than Chelmsford for a real estate agent?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Everett ($2,679/mo), Arlington ($2,679/mo), Westborough ($2,679/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.