Chelsea is a small town of 486 in Vermont, with a median household income of $42,969
and a 7.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is
6% below the national average.
Strengths:
Chelsea stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Chelsea is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Chelsea city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 93.6
Chelsea's overall cost of living index is 93.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Chelsea costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.
Metric
Chelsea, VT
National Avg
Median Home Value
$146,900
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$850
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
74.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$42,969
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Chelsea's violent crime rate is 34.6 per 100,000 residents
— 91% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
34.6 /100k
Property Crime
138.4 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Chelsea is served primarily by First Branch Unified School District #82.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Chelsea, VT
National Avg
School District
First Branch Unified School District #82
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
22.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
96.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Chelsea sees average highs of 24.8°F in January
and 76.2°F in July,
with 42.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 88.8 inches of snow per year.
Chelsea's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Chelsea roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $146,900 and median rent is $850/month.
Chelsea's violent crime rate is 34.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 138.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Chelsea are operated by First Branch Unified School District #82.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.8:1. 22.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Chelsea, VT has a population of 486, a median household income of $42,969, and an unemployment rate of 7.4%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Chelsea averages 24.8°F in January and 76.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 42.4 inches
with about 88.8 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Chelsea, VT is covered by 1 ZIP code: 05038.
The population of Chelsea, Vermont is 486 with a median age of 34.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Chelsea: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $146,900, median household income $42,969, crime index 8 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Chelsea side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
