salaryRent is higher than in 79% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.8 years of household income. Most households rent (65%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 59.1% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $91,640 a year. That is $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Pennsylvania cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Pennsylvania. It is number 250 of 269 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in West Chester?
Share of households by yearly income. 28.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in West Chester
| Size | West Chester | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,016 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,797 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,991 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,047 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,477 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is West 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 West Chester, so the Pennsylvania figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in West Chester
Life in West Chester
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in West Chester?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,114 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $490,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $49,070 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in West Chester, PA?
Renting in West Chester costs a median of about $2,291 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Pennsylvania median is $1,367.
How much do I need to make to live in West Chester?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $91,640 a year, or $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is West Chester cheap or expensive?
West Chester is rated Expensive: rent takes 32.5% of the typical household income of $84,538. It ranks 250th cheapest of 269 Pennsylvania cities we track.
How much are property taxes in West Chester?
The median homeowner in West Chester pays $4,890 a year in property taxes, about 1.00% of the median home value.
Is West 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 West Chester?
The median home value in West Chester is $490,700, about 5.8 times the typical yearly household income.
20,666 people live in West Chester. Numbers are typical (middle) values.