Chester 79 Exceptional
Chester Livability #140 ranked city in New York#2,177 ranked city in the USARanks better than 92% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Chester

PROS
  • Employment 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 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 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 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 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 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.

What's it like Living in Chester?

Chester is a smaller city located in the state of New York. The city has a population of 4,144 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. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Chester entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 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 effort 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 amenities, crime, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Chester and in the areas around Chester is a much easier task.

Chester has a livability score of 78 out of 100 and is ranked #127 in New York and #2,044 in the USA. Based on this score, Chester would be considered a very livable city! Chester is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Chester ranks well for crime (B+), employment (A+) and housing (A+) 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.

The unemployment rate in Chester has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.1%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Chester excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Chester. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Chester are affordable. Median real estate prices in Chester come in at $349,695, which is 30.5% 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 3.2, which is 42.9% 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) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.