Chester 75 Excellent
Chester Livability #382 ranked city in Pennsylvania#3,849 ranked city in the USARanks better than 86% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Chester

PROS
  • Amenities

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

  • 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

    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

    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.

CONS
  • 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

    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

    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

    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.

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What's it like Living in Chester?

Chester is a mid-sized city located in the state of Pennsylvania. The city has a population of 33,855 inhabitants. In Chester, there are 7,004 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. With a total of 71%, the Black or African American racial group makes up the majority of the population in Chester. The next most represented races are 19% White and 1% Asian. With an average age of 32 years old, Chester could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. Chester is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 25% married, this city falls well below the national average.

Whether you’re moving 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 Pennsylvania if you know where to look. 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. The best areas in Chester and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, commute, health & safety, education, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Pennsylvania and national averages.

The livability score in Chester is 69/100 and the city is ranked in the 76th percentile of all cities across America. Based on the grades for each individual category, Chester has been rewarded with high marks for amenities (A+), cost of living (A+) and housing (B). On a more negative note, Chester does not have favorable grades for the following: crime (F), education (F) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

If you're living in Chester, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Chester an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home.

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.

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 $70,300, which is 58.1% 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 2.1, which is 32.3% lower than the Pennsylvania average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Chester

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Chester?

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Compare Chester, PA Livability

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      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).