Chelsea, AL vs Margaret, AL
The cost of living difference between Chelsea, AL and Margaret, AL is dramatic. Margaret is 34.7% cheaper than Chelsea, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chelsea has a cost index of 104 while Margaret sits at 77, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.
On the housing front, median rent in Chelsea is $1,456/month compared to $881/month in Margaret — a 65% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Margaret is more affordable at $224,700 median vs $339,400.
Median household income in Chelsea is $110,056 compared to $97,075 in Margaret (+13.4%). Chelsea does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Chelsea spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, more than the 10.9% in Margaret.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.4°F vs 63.9°F). Margaret receives more rainfall at 56.6" per year compared to 56.2" in Chelsea.
Income & Cost
Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)