Chelsea, MA vs Swampscott, MA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Chelsea is 17.6% cheaper than Swampscott. With a cost index of 134 vs 163, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Chelsea to Swampscott should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chelsea is $1,859/month compared to $2,223/month in Swampscott — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chelsea is more affordable at $476,500 median vs $690,800.

Median household income in Chelsea is $72,220 compared to $128,964 in Swampscott (-44%). While Swampscott 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 20.7% in Swampscott. The Swampscott 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 49.9°F). Swampscott receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Chelsea.