How many renters in Chelmsford, MA pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

51.7% (±8.9 points) of renting households in Chelmsford, MA spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

46.7% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 31.7% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on .

Paying 30% or more
51.7% (±8.9 points)
Paying 35% or more
46.7% (±8.4 points)
Median share of income
31.7% (±7.6 points)

Rent as a share of income in Chelmsford

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rentChelmsfordMiddlesex CountyMassachusettsUnited States
Less than 15%8.5% (±4.2 points)13.1%12.4%12.6%
15% to 19.9%12.8% (±5.4 points)13.5%11.6%12.2%
20% to 24.9%14.9% (±6.4 points)14.2%12.3%12.6%
25% to 29.9%12.1% (±5.5 points)12.0%12.0%11.5%
30% to 34.9%5.0% (±3.0 points)9.5%10.0%9.2%
35% or more46.7% (±8.4 points)37.6%41.8%41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Chelmsford against Middlesex County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
ChelmsfordMiddlesex CountyMassachusettsUnited States
Paying 30% or more51.7% (±8.9 points)47.1% (±1.1 points)51.8% (±0.5 points)51.1%
Paying 35% or more46.7% (±8.4 points)37.6% (±1.0 points)41.8% (±0.4 points)41.9%
Median share of income31.7% (±7.6 points)28.8% (±0.4 points)30.9% (±0.3 points)30.6%
Median renter household income$61,659 (±$10,413)$84,135 (±$1,906)$60,987 (±$576)$52,966
Median gross rent$2,062 (±$151)$2,201 (±$17)$1,762 (±$9)$1,413

In Chelmsford, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is not measurably different from Middlesex County (47.1%).

It is not measurably different from Massachusetts (51.8%).

It is not measurably different from the national figure (51.1%).

In Middlesex County, Chelmsford ranks 24 of 54 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.

Statewide, it ranks 174 of 351.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Chelmsford

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Chelmsford
PlaceDistanceRenters paying 30% or more of incomeCompared with this place
Chelmsford—51.7% (±8.9 points)—
Westford3.7 mi53.0% (±10.4 points)Not measurably different
Lowell3.8 mi52.4% (±3.6 points)Not measurably different
Carlisle4.2 mi77.0% (±23.2 points)Higher
Tyngsborough5.7 mi72.2% (±28.7 points)Not measurably different
Billerica6.1 mi42.3% (±10.4 points)Not measurably different
Dracut6.7 mi57.5% (±11.2 points)Not measurably different
Littleton Common6.8 mi50.3% (±34.6 points)Not measurably different
Tewksbury7.3 mi58.9% (±12.7 points)Not measurably different

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Carlisle, MA (77.0%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Renters paying 30% or more of income across Middlesex County, place by place

RankPlaceRenters paying 30% or more of income
18Ashland55.2% (±15.8 points)
19Holliston53.5% (±21.9 points)
20Framingham53.4% (±5.1 points)
21Concord53.1% (±12.8 points)
22Westford53.0% (±10.4 points)
23Lowell52.4% (±3.6 points)
24Chelmsford51.7% (±8.9 points)
25Malden51.2% (±4.9 points)
26Townsend50.5% (±19.6 points)
27Burlington50.4% (±8.1 points)
28Melrose50.3% (±7.6 points)
29Lexington50.1% (±8.2 points)
30Sherborn48.0% (±28.3 points)

Showing 13 of 54 places in Middlesex County, ranked from highest to lowest.

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Chelmsford

Are renters in Chelmsford rent-burdened?

51.7% of renting households in Chelmsford pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Chelmsford spend on rent?

The median renting household in Chelmsford, MA spends 31.7% (±7.6 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Chelmsford town, Middlesex County, Massachusetts (county subdivision:13135, in state:25 county:017).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.

Figures last updated on .

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