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.
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.
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.
Cost Of Living
Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.
Health & Safety
Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.
Schools
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
Located in the state of Maryland, Chester is a small city with a population of 4,471 people. According to the most recent Census, 87% of Chester residents are White, 6% Black and 1% Asian. Something to be aware of when living in Chester are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 35 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Chester could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Maryland if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, health & safety, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Chester and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Chester to Maryland and the national average.
Using data and statistics Chester has received a livability score of 63 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 51st percentile when compared to all other cities. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Chester ranks very well for crime (B+), employment (A+) and housing (A+). Chester does not score well for the following: amenities (F), cost of living (F) and education (D-). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Chester apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Chester is actually affordable. The median home price for Chester homes is $649,136, which is 25.4% higher than the Maryland average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Chester, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.3, which is 15.2% higher than the Maryland average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Chester | Maryland | National |
| Average one way commute | 35min | 32min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 75.4% | 73.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 12.5% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.6% | 8.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.0% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 7.5% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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