Living in Chelsea, Maine

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chelsea · Census data 2020–2024

Chelsea has 2,823 residents with a median age of 42.2. The median household income is $85,471 (14% higher than the Maine median), the median home value is $182,300, the median rent is $1,373/month.

Chelsea at a glance

Population
2,823
Median age
42.2State: 44.8
Median household income
$85,471State: $74,733
Median home value
$182,300State: $296,600
Median rent
$1,373/moState: $1,139
Homeowners
88.6%
Bachelor's degree or higher
20.4%
Average commute
36 min

Is Chelsea a good place to live?

Pros: Median household income 14% higher than the Maine median; home values 39% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.8%; a poverty rate of 8.7%.

Cons: An average commute of 36 minutes.

The weather is best in June to September.

Cost of living in Chelsea

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chelsea the median home value is $182,300, 45% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,373 per month, which is 17.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,284 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Chelsea$182,300
Maine$296,600
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Chelsea$1,373
Maine$1,139
United States$1,413

Chelsea median household income

The median household income in Chelsea is $85,471 and the income per person is $35,100. 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Maine: 10.7%).

Median household income

Chelsea$85,471
Maine$74,733
United States$80,734

Housing in Chelsea: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
1,067
Owner-occupied
88.6%
Renter-occupied
11.4%
Vacant
3.7%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1982
Average household size
2.61

Chelsea demographics

Population
2,823
Median age
42.2
Under 18
23.3%
65 and older
22.6%
Households
1,028
Foreign-born
1.2%
Veterans
8.7%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White95.1%
Hispanic or Latino1.4%
Black0%
Asian0%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chelsea ›

Education in Chelsea

20.4% of adults 25 and older in Chelsea have a bachelor's degree or higher (Maine: 36.2%), and 5.8% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Chelsea20.4%
Maine36.2%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Chelsea

Unemployment rate
2.8%State: 3.8%
Average commute
36 minState: 25 min
Work from home
6%
Drive alone
74.9%
Public transit
0%
Walk to work
2.4%
Homes with broadband
88.4%

Chelsea vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Chelsea2,823$85,471$182,300$1,373
Randolph1,610$66,574$174,300$1,186
Hallowell2,592$68,398$295,300$890
Augusta19,077$47,979$201,000$919
Farmingdale3,017$71,635$249,700$911
Gardiner6,088$71,782$221,600$1,113
Pittston3,093$86,614$238,700$1,080
Whitefield2,157$73,875$242,300$895
West Gardiner3,696$96,172$305,100$1,087

More for people moving to Chelsea

Chelsea ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Chelsea: FAQ

What is the median household income in Chelsea, ME?

The median household income in Chelsea is $85,471, 14% higher than the Maine median of $74,733 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

What is the average home price in Chelsea?

The median home value in Chelsea is $182,300, compared with $296,600 in Maine.

How much is rent in Chelsea?

The median gross rent in Chelsea is $1,373 per month, about 17.6% of household income.

Is Chelsea, ME a good place to live?

Pluses: median household income 14% higher than the Maine median; home values 39% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.8%; a poverty rate of 8.7%. Minuses: an average commute of 36 minutes.

What is the median age in Chelsea?

The median age in Chelsea is 42.2 years (Maine: 44.8).

How long is the commute in Chelsea?

The average commute to work in Chelsea is 36 minutes; 6% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Chelsea?

The unemployment rate in Chelsea is 2.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Chelsea?

20.4% of adults in Chelsea have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.

Last updated: