Living in Chelsea, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chelsea · Census data 2020–2024
Chelsea has 39,908 residents with a median age of 34.4. The median household income is $72,179 (31% lower than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $493,500, the median rent is $1,956/month.
Chelsea at a glance
- Population
- 39,908
- Median age
- 34.4State: 40
- Median household income
- $72,179State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $493,500State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $1,956/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 26%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22.2%
- Average commute
- 33 min
Is Chelsea a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 12% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 31% lower than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 33 minutes; unemployment of 9.2%; a poverty rate of 20.7%.
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 $493,500, 48% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,956 per month, which is 34.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,608 a month in housing costs.
Chelsea median household income
The median household income in Chelsea is $72,179 and the income per person is $32,986. 20.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in Chelsea: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 14,165
- Owner-occupied
- 26%
- Renter-occupied
- 74%
- Vacant
- 3.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1941
- Average household size
- 2.85
Chelsea demographics
- Population
- 39,908
- Median age
- 34.4
- Under 18
- 24.4%
- 65 and older
- 10.5%
- Households
- 13,716
- Foreign-born
- 46.1%
- Veterans
- 1.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chelsea ›
Education in Chelsea
22.2% of adults 25 and older in Chelsea have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 7.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Chelsea
- Unemployment rate
- 9.2%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 33 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 10.4%
- Drive alone
- 46.1%
- Public transit
- 20.9%
- Walk to work
- 5.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.6%
Chelsea vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | 39,908 | $72,179 | $493,500 | $1,956 |
| Everett | 50,045 | $85,218 | $610,000 | $2,076 |
| Revere | 60,012 | $86,969 | $597,400 | $2,076 |
| Malden | 65,906 | $100,606 | $633,500 | $2,204 |
| Winthrop Town | 18,759 | $116,167 | $649,600 | $2,064 |
| Somerville | 81,036 | $132,572 | $911,300 | $2,517 |
| Melrose | 29,650 | $133,953 | $822,900 | $1,970 |
| Medford | 59,354 | $129,540 | $755,500 | $2,509 |
| Boston | 666,442 | $97,344 | $731,700 | $2,147 |
More for people moving to Chelsea
Chelsea ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Chelsea: FAQ
What is the median household income in Chelsea, MA?
The median household income in Chelsea is $72,179, 31% lower 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 Chelsea?
The median home value in Chelsea is $493,500, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in Chelsea?
The median gross rent in Chelsea is $1,956 per month, about 34.7% of household income.
Is Chelsea, MA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 12% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 31% lower than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 33 minutes; unemployment of 9.2%; a poverty rate of 20.7%.
What is the median age in Chelsea?
The median age in Chelsea is 34.4 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in Chelsea?
The average commute to work in Chelsea is 33 minutes; 10.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Chelsea?
The unemployment rate in Chelsea is 9.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Chelsea?
22.2% 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.
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