Living in Chester, Pennsylvania
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chester · Census data 2020–2024
Chester has 33,619 residents with a median age of 33.9. The median household income is $41,342 (47% lower than the Pennsylvania median), the median home value is $83,100, the median rent is $1,091/month.
Chester at a glance
- Population
- 33,619
- Median age
- 33.9State: 40.9
- Median household income
- $41,342State: $77,971
- Median home value
- $83,100State: $254,500
- Median rent
- $1,091/moState: $1,209
- Homeowners
- 40%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14.4%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Chester a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 67% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 47% lower than the Pennsylvania median; unemployment of 17.6%; a poverty rate of 29%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Chester
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chester the median home value is $83,100, 75% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,091 per month, which is 35.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,157 a month in housing costs.
Chester median household income
The median household income in Chester is $41,342 and the income per person is $23,100. 29% of residents live below the poverty line (Pennsylvania: 11.7%).
Housing in Chester: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 14,929
- Owner-occupied
- 40%
- Renter-occupied
- 60%
- Vacant
- 16%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1949
- Average household size
- 2.44
Chester demographics
- Population
- 33,619
- Median age
- 33.9
- Under 18
- 23.5%
- 65 and older
- 15.5%
- Households
- 12,537
- Foreign-born
- 5.1%
- Veterans
- 5.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chester ›
Education in Chester
14.4% of adults 25 and older in Chester have a bachelor's degree or higher (Pennsylvania: 35.2%), and 5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Chester
- Unemployment rate
- 17.6%State: 5.3%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 9.5%
- Drive alone
- 58.1%
- Public transit
- 9.7%
- Walk to work
- 8.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.6%
Chester vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 33,619 | $41,342 | $83,100 | $1,091 |
| Upland | 3,057 | $61,553 | $184,700 | $1,105 |
| Parkside | 2,321 | $93,929 | $212,600 | $1,158 |
| Eddystone | 2,562 | $51,953 | $127,200 | $1,329 |
| Brookhaven | 8,331 | $91,042 | $284,700 | $1,487 |
| Trainer | 1,733 | $81,250 | $119,800 | $1,309 |
| Woodlyn | 9,736 | $79,696 | $230,400 | $1,196 |
| Village Green-Green Ridge | 9,073 | $96,711 | $325,800 | $1,356 |
| Linwood | 3,921 | $80,484 | $151,400 | $1,327 |
More for people moving to Chester
Chester ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Chester: FAQ
What is the median household income in Chester, PA?
The median household income in Chester is $41,342, 47% lower than the Pennsylvania median of $77,971 (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 $83,100, compared with $254,500 in Pennsylvania.
How much is rent in Chester?
The median gross rent in Chester is $1,091 per month, about 35.7% of household income.
Is Chester, PA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 67% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes. Minuses: median household income 47% lower than the Pennsylvania median; unemployment of 17.6%; a poverty rate of 29%.
What is the median age in Chester?
The median age in Chester is 33.9 years (Pennsylvania: 40.9).
How long is the commute in Chester?
The average commute to work in Chester is 23 minutes; 9.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Chester?
The unemployment rate in Chester is 17.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Chester?
14.4% 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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