Chelsea, MA vs Somerville, MA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Chelsea is 28.4% cheaper than Somerville. With a cost index of 134 vs 187, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Chelsea to Somerville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chelsea is $1,859/month compared to $2,468/month in Somerville — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chelsea is more affordable at $476,500 median vs $899,400.

Median household income in Chelsea is $72,220 compared to $127,056 in Somerville (-43.2%). While Somerville 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 23.3% in Somerville. The Somerville 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 51.9°F). Somerville receives more rainfall at 43.6" per year compared to 43.6" in Chelsea.