Chelsea, MA vs Newton, MA

The cost of living difference between Chelsea, MA and Newton, MA is dramatic. Chelsea is 36% cheaper than Newton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chelsea has a cost index of 134 while Newton sits at 210, 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 $1,859/month compared to $2,388/month in Newton — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chelsea is more affordable at $476,500 median vs $1,202,500.

Median household income in Chelsea is $72,220 compared to $184,989 in Newton (-61%). While Newton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Chelsea spend roughly 30.9% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Newton. The Newton ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 49.7°F). Newton receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 43.6" in Chelsea.