Real Estate Investing in Chelmsford, Massachusetts (01863)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Middlesex County • Population: 9,592 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 01863 (Chelmsford, MA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Chelmsford, MA (01863)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $564,042
Avg Monthly Rent $2,640
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $128,682
% Renters 15.8%

Market Analysis: 01863 Chelmsford

Put differently, ZIP 01863 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $564K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

The investment case in 01863 is solid only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $564K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Chelmsford have seen price recovery that 01863 has not matched. Middlesex County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Employment concentration in 01863 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategy in 01863 is an operator game, not a passive one. From an investor standpoint, entry prices of $564K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Chelmsford:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,640/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 01863

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
3.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.8% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$181,321/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $446,968 $2,230 3.6% +8.8% $223,484
3BR $634,492 $2,670 3.0% +7.3% $211,497
4BR $725,285 $2,950 2.9% +7.5% $181,321

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$593K$515K$437K$359K$281K$203KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,707$2,670$2,633$2,596$2,559$2,522Jan 2025Oct 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 01863 Compare?

Metric 01863 Chelmsford Massachusetts
Home Value $564,042 $646,405 $645,115
5-Year CAGR 6.1% 5.7% 7.0%
Avg Rent $2,640 $2,650 -
Cap Rate 3.7% 3.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 01863? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 01863 (Chelmsford, MA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Middlesex County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Green Ocean Property Management offers investment property management and condo association management services in Boston and surrounding areas like Allston, Brighton, Cambridge, and Quincy. summary from their website

HOA
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

McDonough Property Management offers full-service property management and HOA management in the Greater Boston Area, covering maintenance, inspections, legal compliance, and communication. summary from their website

HOA
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New England Property Management & Maintenance offers property management for multi/single-family homes, apartments, rental properties, and condo associations in Brookline, MA and Cambridge, MA. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamilyHOA
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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $564,042
Monthly Rent $2,640
Price-to-Rent 17.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.6%
Cap Rate 3.7%
5-Year IRR 9.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +1.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.7%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
2.0%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 01863

Population: 9,592

💰 Median Household Income
$128,682
This area
$128,682
State
$107,356
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.8%
This area
15.8%
State
28.1%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
State
-8.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
45.5%
This area
45.5%
State
32.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.0 years
This area
42.0 years
State
22.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
13.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 83.6%
Asian 8.9%
Other/Mixed 4.9%
Hispanic/Latino 3.5%
Black/African American 2.6%
👶 Under 18
19.9%
This area
19.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.6%
This area
19.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.5%
This area
2.5%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 01863

A+ Avg School Grade
2 Schools
13.6:1 Avg Class Size
$20,584 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Charles D Harrington

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
477 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$20,584 Per Student
A Very Good

Chelmsford High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,413 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$20,584 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Bartlett Community Partnership

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 79 Wannalancit Street, Lowell
👥
480 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$27,720 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Charlotte M Murkland Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
📍 350 Adams Street, Lowell
👥
436 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$27,720 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Joseph McAvinnue

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
📍 131 Mammoth Road, Lowell
👥
429 Students
👨‍🏫
11.6:1 Class Size
💰
$27,720 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Washington

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
📍 795 Wilder Street, Lowell
👥
242 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$27,720 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Abraham Lincoln

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
📍 300 Chelmsford Street, Lowell
👥
489 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$27,720 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 2,401 Off-Campus Students
C+
Greater Lowell Technical School
77 students · 1.5 mi
B
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
16,770 students · 3.6 mi
C
Lowell Academy Hairstyling Institute
59 students · 4.3 mi
C
Rivier University
2,879 students · 8.0 mi
C
EINE Inc
40 students · 9.0 mi
D
St Joseph School of Nursing
96 students · 9.2 mi
C+
New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts
24 students · 9.5 mi
C
Middlesex Community College
8,280 students · 9.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,401 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best play in Chelmsford, MA?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Chelmsford, MA. The numbers - $564K homes against $2,640/mo rents - support that play.

What is it like being a landlord in Chelmsford, MA?

Landlord-friendliness in Chelmsford, MA is tenant-protective. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

Are renters plentiful in Chelmsford, MA?

The tenant pool in Chelmsford, MA is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $2,640/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

How does Chelmsford, MA rate as a rental market?

Investors tracking Chelmsford, MA will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $564K median home values and $2,640/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting measured returns.

How much does a house cost in Chelmsford, MA?

The median home value in Chelmsford, MA is roughly $564K. That puts it reasonable relative to the MA statewide average.

You know 01863 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 01863 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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