Cost of Living in Chelsea, MI
Population 5,420 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Chelsea is a smaller Michigan community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $71,702 and housing costs ($301,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.6% — below most comparable cities in the state.
Located 15 miles west of Ann Arbor, Chelsea falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 31% lower than Ann Arbor's $435,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Chelsea
The median home value in Chelsea is $301,100 — 1% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,543/month, 17% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $71,702/year is 4% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.6%, below the national average of 4.8%. Michigan's top state income tax rate is 4.3% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. Overall, Chelsea has a cost of living index of 106 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% more expensive.
Chelsea has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Chelsea, MI?
Chelsea has a cost index of 106 (100 = national average). It is 6% above the national average.
What is average rent in Chelsea, MI?
The median gross rent in Chelsea is $1,543 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Chelsea?
The median home value in Chelsea is $301,100 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Chelsea?
The median household income in Chelsea is $71,702 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Chelsea, MI?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Chelsea is 6.0%. The Michigan state income tax top rate is 4.3%.
Is Chelsea, MI affordable?
Chelsea is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 106 (100 = US average).
Chelsea at a Glance
- Population
- 5,420
- Median Income
- $71,702
- Home Value
- $301,100
- Median Rent
- $1,543/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.6%
- Sales Tax
- 6.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Michigan Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs