salaryRent is lower than in 79% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most households rent (60%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $45,840 a year. That is $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Pennsylvania cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Pennsylvania. It is number 88 of 269 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Chester?
Share of households by yearly income. 9.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Chester
| Size | Chester | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,005 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,033 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,226 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,433 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,421 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Chester overall?
Everyday prices in Pennsylvania overall are 2% below the U.S. average (index 97.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Chester, so the Pennsylvania figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Chester
Life in Chester
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Chester?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $569 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $83,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $8,310 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Chester, PA?
Renting in Chester costs a median of about $1,146 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Pennsylvania median is $1,367.
How much do I need to make to live in Chester?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $45,840 a year, or $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Chester cheap or expensive?
Chester is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.8% of the typical household income of $44,587. It ranks 88th cheapest of 269 Pennsylvania cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Chester?
The median homeowner in Chester pays $1,675 a year in property taxes, about 2.02% of the median home value.
Is Chester more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Pennsylvania are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Chester?
The median home value in Chester is $83,100, about 1.9 times the typical yearly household income.
33,619 people live in Chester. Numbers are typical (middle) values.