Chester 78 Exceptional
Chester Livability #127 ranked city in New York#2,044 ranked city in the USARanks better than 93% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Chester

PROS
  • Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

  • Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

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What's it like Living in Chester?

Located in the state of New York, Chester is a small-sized city with a population of 4,057 people. More than a quarter of the residents of Chester identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 16% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Chester offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 40 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Chester, New York could be a fulfilling experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like crime, cost of living, commute, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Chester and in the areas around Chester is a much easier task.

The livability score in Chester is 77/100 and the city is ranked in the 92nd percentile of all cities across America. Based on this score, Chester would be considered a very livable city! Chester also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Chester ranks very well for crime (A), employment (A+) and housing (B+). There are some categories that Chester ranks poorly for, including: amenities (D-) and cost of living (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Chester has an unemployment rate of 1.96% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Chester market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that Chester meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Chester. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Chester are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Chester come in at $198,600, which is 30.6% lower than the New York average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Chester, the home price to income ratio is 2.7, which is 42.6% lower than the New York average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Chester

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Compare Chester, NY Livability

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      Chester transportation information

      Statistic Chester New York National
      Average one way commute40min33min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.4%53.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.9%6.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit16.4%28.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.5%6.3%2.8%
      Working from home2.8%4.0%4.6%
      Source: The Chester, NY data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).