Living in Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chelmsford · Census data 2020–2024
Chelmsford has 36,446 residents with a median age of 41.6. The median household income is $140,629 (35% higher than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $593,700, the median rent is $2,062/month.
Chelmsford at a glance
- Population
- 36,446
- Median age
- 41.6State: 40
- Median household income
- $140,629State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $593,700State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $2,062/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 82.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 52.8%
- Average commute
- 28 min
Is Chelmsford a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 35% higher than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 28 minutes; a poverty rate of 4.7%.
Cons: Home values 6% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.3%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Chelmsford
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chelmsford the median home value is $593,700, 78% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,062 per month, which is 31.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,983 a month in housing costs.
Chelmsford median household income
The median household income in Chelmsford is $140,629 and the income per person is $60,022. 4.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in Chelmsford: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 13,942
- Owner-occupied
- 82.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 17.9%
- Vacant
- 3.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1967
- Average household size
- 2.68
Chelmsford demographics
- Population
- 36,446
- Median age
- 41.6
- Under 18
- 21.6%
- 65 and older
- 18.1%
- Households
- 13,450
- Foreign-born
- 13.5%
- Veterans
- 4.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chelmsford ›
Education in Chelmsford
52.8% of adults 25 and older in Chelmsford have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 24.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Chelmsford
- Unemployment rate
- 5.3%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 28 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 22.8%
- Drive alone
- 68.8%
- Public transit
- 1%
- Walk to work
- 1.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.2%
Chelmsford vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelmsford | 36,446 | $140,629 | $593,700 | $2,062 |
| Westford | 24,690 | $187,198 | $748,500 | $2,436 |
| Lowell | 118,368 | $78,658 | $429,200 | $1,625 |
| Carlisle | 5,239 | $250,001 | $1,103,900 | $1,313 |
| Tyngsborough | 12,550 | $129,348 | $552,500 | $1,986 |
| Billerica | 42,003 | $148,200 | $612,000 | $2,282 |
| Dracut | 32,574 | $114,036 | $473,900 | $1,839 |
| Littleton Common | 3,289 | $135,074 | $558,200 | $2,306 |
| Tewksbury | 31,273 | $128,061 | $573,600 | $2,310 |
More for people moving to Chelmsford
Chelmsford ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Chelmsford: FAQ
What is the median household income in Chelmsford, MA?
The median household income in Chelmsford is $140,629, 35% higher than the Massachusetts median of $103,960 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Chelmsford?
The median home value in Chelmsford is $593,700, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in Chelmsford?
The median gross rent in Chelmsford is $2,062 per month, about 31.7% of household income.
Is Chelmsford, MA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 35% higher than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 28 minutes; a poverty rate of 4.7%. Minuses: home values 6% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.3%.
What is the median age in Chelmsford?
The median age in Chelmsford is 41.6 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in Chelmsford?
The average commute to work in Chelmsford is 28 minutes; 22.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Chelmsford?
The unemployment rate in Chelmsford is 5.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Chelmsford?
52.8% of adults in Chelmsford 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.
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