Median Age
37 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 17% of Residents
Under 20
26%
Over 65
12%
Chelsea, MA
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$2,520
Population
35,885
Renter Mix
75% Rent
Dynamic and fast-paced, Chelsea's small size is deceiving.
Great Location
•
Exciting
•
Trendy
Just across the Tobin Bridge from Boston, Chelsea is an independent city that packs a serious punch despite being one of the smallest in Massachusetts. Mary O'Malley State Park offers a scenic stretch along the Mystic River, while Bellingham Square serves as a lively hub for local shopping, dining, and everyday errands. The city's narrow streets and Victorian-era brick buildings give it a historic feel that newer developments haven't washed away. Renters here will find a solid mix of options, from converted multifamily homes and townhomes to newer apartment communities with updated finishes and building amenities. Whether you need a studio or a spacious three-bedroom, Chelsea's compact footprint keeps everything within reach. The Silver Line SL3, MBTA buses, and commuter rail connections mean getting into Boston is quick and straightforward. Originally known as Winnisimmet when first settled in 1624, Chelsea is one of the oldest continuously inhabited spots near Boston Harbor — a history that still shows in its architecture and street-level character.
Explore the City
There a few row of streets in Chelsea that share the similar Brownstone archictecture style.
Chelsea Square sign stands in the middle of a park with a water fountain, benches, and shops.
The Chelsea Naval Hospital Park provides a stone path to a deck with views of the Mystic River.
Chelsea is a neighborhood filled with new opportunities for you and your family.
It's easy to access Boston via the Chelsea commuter rail station nearby.
There is no shortage of dining in Lower Broadway.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$66,222
Average: $83,866
Education
8,253
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
19,175
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Chelsea has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
75%
Non-Renters
25%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
15%
Other Education
85%
Rent Trends
As of July 2026, the average apartment rent in Chelsea, MA is $2,276 for a studio, $2,528 for one bedroom, $2,992 for two bedrooms, and $3,321 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Chelsea has increased by 1.5% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,528/month
709 Sq Ft
Condo
$3,050/month
2,303 Sq Ft
Learn More About Chelsea
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Chelsea, MA is for everyday living.
Exceptionally Walkable
Walkability
90
/ 100
Strong Public Transit
Transit
80
/ 100
Fairly Drivable
Drivability
50
/ 100
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
60
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
William A Berkowitz Elementary
Public
Grades K-5
428 Students
Public
Grades K-5
406 Students
Edgar A Hooks Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
406 Students
Public
Grades K-8
501 Students
Eugene Wright Science And Technology Academy
Public
Grades K-8
418 Students
Public
Grades K-8
501 Students
Eugene Wright Science And Technology Academy
Public
Grades K-8
418 Students
Public
Grades K-8
641 Students
Chelsea - Chelsea Virtual Learning Academy
Public
Grades K-12
38 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,532 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,532 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
194 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
115 Students
Chelsea - Chelsea Virtual Learning Academy
Public
Grades K-12
38 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Belle Isle Marsh Reservation
- New England Aquarium
- Revere Beach Reservation
- Mystic River Reservation
- Museum of Science
Commuter Rail
Military Bases
Airports
- General Edward Lawrence Logan International
Top Apartments in Chelsea
Houses for Rent in Chelsea
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.