Chelsea, VT vs Orleans, VT

Orleans is moderately more affordable than Chelsea, with a 11.7% lower cost of living index. Chelsea scores 79 compared to 71 for Orleans, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Chelsea can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Chelsea is $1,076/month compared to $757/month in Orleans — a 42% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Orleans has cheaper rent, Chelsea actually has lower median home values ($139,200 vs $156,300).

Median household income in Chelsea is $45,333 compared to $57,604 in Orleans (-21.3%). Orleans offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chelsea spend roughly 28.5% of their income on rent, more than the 15.8% in Orleans.