Chester 73 Excellent
Chester Livability #540 ranked city in Pennsylvania#5,053 ranked city in the USARanks better than 82% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Chester

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.

  • Commute Commute

    High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • 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.

CONS
  • Crime Crime

    This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.

  • Schools 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.

  • Ratings Ratings

    AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

What's it like Living in Chester?

Chester is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Pennsylvania. The city has a population of 35,117 people. With a population density of 7,266 people per square mile, Chester is well above the nation's average density level. According to Census, the majority (71%) of Chester residents identify as Black or African American followed by 19% White and 1% Asian. Chester could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 32 years old is below the nation’s average. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 25% of the Chester population is married.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Chester, Pennsylvania could be a good 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, cost of living, commute, 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 Pennsylvania and the national average.

The livability score in Chester is 75 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 86th percentile of all cities across America. Based on this score, Chester would be considered a very livable city! If we explore each of the categories individually, we see that Chester ranks well for amenities (A+), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Chester. The following was graded with a concerning score: crime (D-), education (F) and employment (F).

If you're considering living in Chester, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Chester provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Chester can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

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. The median home price for Chester homes is $129,918, which is 56.2% lower than the Pennsylvania 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 2.7, which is 27% lower than the Pennsylvania average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Chester

See all the best places to live around Chester

How Do You Rate The Livability In Chester?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Chester, PA Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Chester transportation information

      Statistic Chester Pennsylvania National
      Average one way commute22min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work60.5%76.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.6%8.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit11.0%5.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk7.5%3.8%2.8%
      Working from home6.4%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Chester, PA 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.