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Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Chelsea

Affordable Housing in Chelsea, MA

Chelsea has 23 affordable and income-based rental properties offering 1,306 units, making it one of the more active markets for subsidized housing in the Boston area. With a median market rent of $1,956 per month (Census ACS 5-Year), income-based options here can represent meaningful savings for eligible renters. Of the 12 properties with inspection scores on file, 9 rated excellent and 3 rated good.

23
Properties
1,306
Total units
93/100
Avg HUD score

At a glance

🏠 Affordability
$1,956/mo

Affordability in Chelsea, MA

Chelsea is a heavily renter-majority city, with 74% of households renting according to Census ACS 5-Year data (2024). The median asking rent in Chelsea is $1,956 per month against a median household income of $72,179 per year, making income-restricted housing a meaningful resource for renters in the area.

Census ACS 5-Year
🛡️ Safety
984 / 100k · 2024

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Chelsea Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 984 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting practices and local definitions.

FBI Crime Data Explorer
🚶 Getting around
Walk Score 96 · Walker's Paradise

Getting Around Chelsea

According to Walk Score, the area around Chelsea's assisted properties earns a Walk Score of 96 (Walker's Paradise), a Transit Score of 62 (Good Transit), and a Bike Score of 54. These scores reflect conditions near the assisted housing locations, not the city as a whole.

Walk Score
🎓 Schools
12 schools · 2 districts

Schools

According to NCES Common Core of Data, 12 public schools across 2 districts serve Chelsea, including 5 elementary, 3 middle, and 4 high schools. Ratings vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address before applying.

NCES Common Core of Data
📊 Cost of living
$72,179 median income

Cost of Renting in Chelsea, MA

The median household income in Chelsea is $72,179 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. The median market rent in the city is $1,956 per month, also per Census ACS 5-Year estimates, which can make affordability a real challenge for many renters.

HUD-assisted, Section 8, and LIHTC properties offer an alternative to market-rate rents. In Chelsea, there are 12 income-restricted buildings covering 802 units -- providing options for renters who qualify based on income limits set by HUD and other program guidelines.

  • Median household income: $72,179/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Median market rent: $1,956/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Renter households: 74% of occupied housing units (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Income-restricted units available: 802 across 12 properties
Census ACS 5-Year
🌊 Environment & risk

Environment and Flood Risk

All 12 assisted properties in Chelsea have been mapped for flood risk. None are located in a high-risk flood zone, according to HUD-assisted property data.

FEMA · EPA AirNow
HUD Inspection Scoresavg 93/100(12 of 23 scored)
90+ (9)70–89 (3)No score (11)

23 properties on the map

Top-rated properties

Browse all 23 affordable apartments in Chelsea→

Other cities in MA

› Affordable housing in Boston› Cambridge income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Chicopee› Dorchester affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Fall River› Affordable housing in Framingham› Haverhill income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Holyoke› Jamaica Plain affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Lawrence› Affordable housing in Lowell› Lynn income-based apartments

Your rights & resources

› How HUD & Section 8 housing works› Tenant rights in MA› Housing assistance & waitlists› Free legal aid (LawHelp)› Energy bill help (LIHEAP)

Read more

About Affordable Housing in Chelsea, MA

Chelsea is a renter-majority city just north of Boston, with 74 percent of households renting according to Census ACS 5-Year data. The median market rent is $1,956 per month (Census ACS 5-Year), making the 802 income-restricted units across 12 HUD-assisted properties here a meaningful resource for cost-burdened renters.

All 12 properties in Chelsea have been scored, and 9 of those received an excellent rating, with the remaining 3 rated good. No properties in the city scored fair or poor.

None of the 12 mapped properties carry a high flood-risk designation, according to HUD-assisted property data.

Getting Around Chelsea

Chelsea earns a Walk Score of 96 ("Walker's Paradise") and a Transit Score of 62 ("Good Transit"), according to Walk Score. A Bike Score of 54 rounds out a city where most daily needs can be met without a car.

Schools in Chelsea

Chelsea is served by 2 school districts with 12 public schools -- 5 elementary, 3 middle, and 4 high schools -- according to NCES Common Core of Data.

Eligibility & how to apply

Massachusetts income limits (2026)Massachusetts public housing authoritiesSection 8 waitlists in Massachusetts

Helpful guides

How Section 8 Vouchers WorkWhat Is Income-Based Housing?How to Apply for Affordable HousingSection 8 vs. LIHTCUnderstanding HUD Inspection ScoresHow Affordable Housing Waitlists Work
Research: what 22,600 HUD inspection scores reveal →