Cost Of Living in Chester, MD

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F

33%

Overall NAT. AVG.

4%

Groceries NAT. AVG.

93%

Housing NAT. AVG.

Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.

The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index	Chester	Maryland	National
Cost of living	133	121	100
Groceries	104	105	100
Health care	110	109	100
Housing	193	151	100
Transportation	110	109	100
Utilities	109	108	100
Lifestyle & Entertainment	108	109	100
Household Items	107	105	100
Education & Childcare	112	112	100

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Homes For Sale In Chester, MD

190 Harrier Way #24

Chester, MD

54F Queen Caroline Ct

Chester, MD

1906 Stevens Dr

Chester, MD

1025 Dundee Ct

Chester, MD

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

The cost of living in Chester is 10% higher than the Maryland average
The cost of living in Chester is 33% higher than the national average
Chester housing is 93% higher than the national average
Maryland general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
Maryland state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

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Price difference in compared to

Cost of living index
Groceries index
Health care index
Housing index
Transportation index
Utilities index
Lifestyle index
Household index
Educare index

Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

Median Income	Per Year	Per Month	Max Budget (28% DTI)	Max Budget (36% DTI)
Owners	$161,079	$13,423	$3,758	$4,833
Renters	$76,750	$6,396	$1,791	$2,303

A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Chester, MD, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Chester, the median monthly income is $161,079 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $3,758 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $76,750, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,791 on monthly rental expenses.

Maryland Sales Tax

State	General Sales Tax	With Max Surtax
Maryland	6%	6%

Maryland Income Tax

State	Income Tax (Low)	Income Tax (High)
Maryland	2%	5.75%

Nearby cities with low cost of living

City	Population	Cost of Living Index	National Avg.
Edesville, MD	166	106	6.5%
Rock Hall, MD	1,594	105	5.3%
Easton, MD	17,240	118	17.7%
Centreville, MD	4,966	122	21.8%
Riviera Beach, MD	13,245	123	23.2%
Chester, MD	4,471	133	33.4%

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Cost of Living Index	National Avg.
St. Bernard, OH	4,471	87	12.5%
Walton, KY	4,473	94	5.5%
Roseburg North, OR	4,473	103	3.0%
Captain Cook, HI	4,475	163	63.2%
Berryville, VA	4,475	122	21.9%
Chester, MD	4,471	133	33.4%

Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.

Cost of Living in Chester, MD

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

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Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

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Nearby cities with low cost of living

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