Chelsea, MA—02150
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Chelsea, MA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Chelsea, MA is $520,000, with a year-over-year change of -0.5%. This indicates that home prices in Chelsea, MA are flat. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 1.1%, suggesting an increase housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $520,000 | -0.5% |
| Single Family | $641,000 | 0.6% |
| Condos | $456,000 | -1.3% |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | $388,000 | -1.8% |
2 Bed | $478,000 | -1.0% |
3 Bed | $611,000 | 1.2% |
4 Bed | $674,000 | 2.1% |
| 5 Bed | $830,000 | 1.5% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Chelsea, MA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Chelsea, MA is $2,750, with a year-over-year rent change of -5.8%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Chelsea, MA is studios: $2,100, 1-bedrooms: $2,580, 2-bedrooms: $3,120, 3-bedrooms: $3,290, 4-bedrooms: $3,620. The most common rental property sizes in Chelsea, MA are 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom, accounting for 29.7% and 26.5% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,650 | $2,750 |
| Studio Rent | $2,310 | $2,100 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $2,550 | $2,580 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $3,170 | $3,120 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $3,250 | $3,290 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $3,250 | $3,620 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Chelsea, MA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Chelsea, MA is 36. This is a increase of 14.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 40.0%, representing a large inventory and a lot of supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $500,000 | -3.0% |
Listing Count | 35 | 14.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.1% | 14.0% |
Days on Market | 36 | 14.0% |
Demographics — Chelsea, MA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Chelsea, MA has a population of 39,400, which has remained stable by -1.0% over the past 5 years. Chelsea, MA is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 24.5% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 22.0% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 9.6% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 39,400 | -1.0% |
% Under 18 | 24.5% | -5.4% |
% Seniors | 11.2% | 25.8% |
% WFH | 9.6% | 380.0% |
% w/ College Degree | 22.0% | 25.7% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Chelsea, MA is a predominantly hispanic area, with 65.0% of the population identifying as hispanic. The hispanic population has shrunk by 2.8% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Chelsea, MA is white, making up 19.5% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 45.2% of the population in Chelsea, MA, and this percentage has decreased by 0.9% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting fewer immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 19.5% | -9.3% |
% Black | 7.0% | 1.4% |
% Hispanic | 65.0% | -2.8% |
% Asian | 2.9% | -9.4% |
% Foreign Born | 45.2% | -0.9% |
Mortgage and Risk — Chelsea, MA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 220 mortgage originations in Chelsea, MA, of which 89.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 61.0%, with 23.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Chelsea, MA. Investor activity is low, as 6.0% of loans were by investors. 10.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting few homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 220 |
% Conventional Loans | 89.0% |
% Government Loans | 11.0% |
% Investor Loans | 6.0% |
% Second Loans | 0.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 10.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Chelsea, MA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Chelsea, MA under the Section 8 program is 15.9%. This is considered high, suggesting that the neighborhood is heavily composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. 4-bedroom units appear to be good home sizes to consider for Section 8 housing in Chelsea, MA, because HUD payments exceed market rent, while 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom units do not.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 1,955 |
Total Units Section 8 | 1,514 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 15.9% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 93.3% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | -$410 | $2,550 | $2,140 |
| 2 Bedroom | -$620 | $3,170 | $2,550 |
| 3 Bedroom | -$170 | $3,250 | $3,080 |
| 4 Bedroom | $140 | $3,250 | $3,390 |
Affordability — Chelsea, MA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 6.7 |
| Median Home Price | $520,000 |
| Median Household Income | $72,100 |