Living in Chester, Maryland

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chester · Census data 2020–2024

Chester has 4,797 residents with a median age of 46.9. The median household income is $102,399 (about the same as the Maryland median), the median home value is $487,400, the median rent is $1,878/month.

Chester at a glance

Population
4,797
Median age
46.9State: 39.4
Median household income
$102,399State: $103,678
Median home value
$487,400State: $419,900
Median rent
$1,878/moState: $1,705
Homeowners
71.1%
Bachelor's degree or higher
40.9%
Average commute
33 min

Is Chester a good place to live?

Pros: Unemployment of 2.2%; a poverty rate of 8.1%.

Cons: Median household income about the same as the Maryland median; home values 16% higher than the state median; an average commute of 33 minutes.

The weather is best in May–June and August–September.

Cost of living in Chester

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chester the median home value is $487,400, 46% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,878 per month, which is 33.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,782 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Chester$487,400
Maryland$419,900
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Chester$1,878
Maryland$1,705
United States$1,413

Chester median household income

The median household income in Chester is $102,399 and the income per person is $72,109. 8.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Maryland: 9.4%).

Median household income

Chester$102,399
Maryland$103,678
United States$80,734

Housing in Chester: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
2,591
Owner-occupied
71.1%
Renter-occupied
28.9%
Vacant
18.3%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1993
Average household size
2.26

Chester demographics

Population
4,797
Median age
46.9
Under 18
18%
65 and older
18.6%
Households
2,117
Foreign-born
8.4%
Veterans
6.2%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White81.3%
Hispanic or Latino7.7%
Black9.3%
Asian1.4%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chester ›

Education in Chester

40.9% of adults 25 and older in Chester have a bachelor's degree or higher (Maryland: 43.4%), and 13.5% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Chester40.9%
Maryland43.4%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Chester

Unemployment rate
2.2%State: 4.9%
Average commute
33 minState: 31 min
Work from home
13%
Drive alone
74.2%
Public transit
2.5%
Walk to work
1.3%
Homes with broadband
87.8%

Chester vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Chester4,797$102,399$487,400$1,878
Stevensville8,802$115,357$481,200$1,771
Kent Narrows507$139,259$673,400—
Grasonville3,564$120,676$459,600$1,622
Romancoke2,064$127,670$450,900$2,656
Queenstown907$122,031$384,800$1,929
Highland Beach107$169,375$767,900—
Cape St. Claire9,236$136,111$488,200$2,031
Naval Academy3,006$122,432—$2,918

More for people moving to Chester

Chester ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Chester: FAQ

What is the median household income in Chester, MD?

The median household income in Chester is $102,399, about the same as the Maryland median of $103,678 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

What is the average home price in Chester?

The median home value in Chester is $487,400, compared with $419,900 in Maryland.

How much is rent in Chester?

The median gross rent in Chester is $1,878 per month, about 33.1% of household income.

Is Chester, MD a good place to live?

Pluses: unemployment of 2.2%; a poverty rate of 8.1%. Minuses: median household income about the same as the Maryland median; home values 16% higher than the state median; an average commute of 33 minutes.

What is the median age in Chester?

The median age in Chester is 46.9 years (Maryland: 39.4).

How long is the commute in Chester?

The average commute to work in Chester is 33 minutes; 13% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Chester?

The unemployment rate in Chester is 2.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Chester?

40.9% of adults in Chester have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.

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