Chelsea 69 Good
Chelsea Livability #54 ranked city in Alabama#8,715 ranked city in the USARanks better than 70% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Chelsea

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Schools Schools

    High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Chelsea?

Located in the state of Alabama, Chelsea is a medium-sized city with a population of 14,088 residents. The majority of Chelsea residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. If finding a family friendly city is important to you, look no further. With more than 72% of the population considered married and 55% with kids under the age of 18, Chelsea could be considered a very suitable city for families. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Chelsea offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 33 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Chelsea could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Alabama if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Chelsea and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from cost of living, commute, health & safety, education, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Alabama and national averages.

Chelsea, AL receives 67/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #72 in Alabama and #9,987 in the USA. Based on the scores for each individual category, Chelsea has received high marks for crime (A), education (B+), employment (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Chelsea. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (F).

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Chelsea market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Chelsea real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Chelsea. The median home price for Chelsea homes is $440,709, which is 87.1% higher than the Alabama average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Chelsea, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.1, which is 13.9% lower than the Alabama average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Chelsea

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      Chelsea transportation information

      Statistic Chelsea Alabama National
      Average one way commute33min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work89.2%85.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.7%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%1.1%2.8%
      Working from home4.5%2.9%4.6%
      Source: The Chelsea, AL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.