Living in Chester, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chester · Census data 2020–2024
Chester has 1,240 residents with a median age of 45.9. The median household income is $89,390 (14% lower than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $281,900, the median rent is $1,104/month.
Chester is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Chester at a glance
- Population
- 1,240
- Median age
- 45.9State: 40
- Median household income
- $89,390State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $281,900State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $1,104/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 82.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27.3%
- Average commute
- 32 min
Is Chester a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 50% lower than the state median; unemployment of 1.5%; a poverty rate of 1.8%.
Cons: Median household income 14% lower than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 32 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Chester
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chester the median home value is $281,900, 15% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,104 per month, which is 35.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,836 a month in housing costs.
Chester median household income
The median household income in Chester is $89,390 and the income per person is $41,424. 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in Chester: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 686
- Owner-occupied
- 82.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 17.5%
- Vacant
- 29.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1951
- Average household size
- 2.54
Chester demographics
- Population
- 1,240
- Median age
- 45.9
- Under 18
- 24.1%
- 65 and older
- 16.5%
- Households
- 486
- Foreign-born
- 2.2%
- Veterans
- 4.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chester ›
Education in Chester
27.3% of adults 25 and older in Chester have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 12.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Chester
- Unemployment rate
- 1.5%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 32 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 7%
- Drive alone
- 83.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.7%
Chester vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 1,240 | $89,390 | $281,900 | $1,104 |
| Huntington | 2,220 | $94,398 | $293,100 | $1,334 |
| Blandford | 1,156 | $91,902 | $287,900 | $1,047 |
| Montgomery | 796 | $123,000 | $357,500 | — |
| Becket | 1,962 | $80,417 | $361,000 | $2,107 |
| Middlefield | 352 | $103,750 | $332,800 | $2,625 |
| Russell | 1,197 | $108,750 | $303,300 | $1,013 |
| Westhampton | 1,552 | $100,000 | $413,200 | $1,304 |
| Chesterfield | 1,055 | $103,967 | $390,800 | $1,078 |
More for people moving to Chester
Chester ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Chester: FAQ
What is the median household income in Chester, MA?
The median household income in Chester is $89,390, 14% lower than the Massachusetts median of $103,960 (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 $281,900, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in Chester?
The median gross rent in Chester is $1,104 per month, about 35.5% of household income.
Is Chester, MA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 50% lower than the state median; unemployment of 1.5%; a poverty rate of 1.8%. Minuses: median household income 14% lower than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 32 minutes.
What is the median age in Chester?
The median age in Chester is 45.9 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in Chester?
The average commute to work in Chester is 32 minutes; 7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Chester?
The unemployment rate in Chester is 1.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Chester?
27.3% 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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