Cost of Living in Chelmsford
East of England
City
Essex, EnglandPopulation: 180,000
Average House Price
£385.3k
+33% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£43,251
+11% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£1,267/mo
+6% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£2,081Band D / yr
Energy£145/ mo
Water£34.00/ mo
Broadband£41.00/ mo
Bus Pass£78.62/ mo
House Prices in Chelmsford
+4.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£385,320
Detached£575,700
Semi-detached£381,900
Terraced£319,200
Flat / Apartment£228,000
House prices in Chelmsford have increased by +4.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Chelmsford
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£43,251
Mean£49,159
Median hourly rate£20.87/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£29,648
Upper quartile (75th)£58,315
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
+10.8%
£4,212 above national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Chelmsford
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Chelmsford each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £1,267 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £173 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £145 |
| Utilities | Water | £34.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £41.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £203 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £281 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £165 |
| Estimated Total | £2,309 |
These figures are estimates based on averages and may vary depending on your lifestyle, property type, and household size. Council tax shown at Band D; your band may differ.
Transport Costs in Chelmsford
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£78.62
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.56
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£203
Compare Chelmsford with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Chelmsford stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Chelmsford
- What is the average house price in Chelmsford?
- The average house price in Chelmsford is £385,320, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £575,700, while flats and apartments average £228,000. Prices have risen by +4.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Chelmsford?
- The median annual salary in Chelmsford is £43,251, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £4,212 above the national average, making it a higher-earning area. Salaries typically range from £29,648 (lower quartile) to £58,315 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Chelmsford?
- Average monthly rent in Chelmsford is £1,267 per month. Rents have increased by +5.8% over the past year.
- Is Chelmsford an affordable place to live?
- Chelmsford can be a stretch for those on median earnings. Rent accounts for approximately 35% of the median monthly income, which exceeds the 30% affordability guideline. The average monthly rent is £1,267, while the median annual salary is £43,251 (approximately £3,604 per month before tax).
- How does Chelmsford compare to London?
- The average house price in Chelmsford is £385,320, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Chelmsford costs around 70% of London prices, making it £165,680 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £1,267 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Chelmsford?
- House prices in Chelmsford are currently rising, with a +4.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £385,320 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
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