How much does it cost to rent in Chester, PA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Chester, PA is $1,299. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Chester cheaper than other Pennsylvania cities?

Chester is among the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania, ranking #130 out of 167 cities at $1,299/mo.

When was Chester rent data last updated?

Chester rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Chester a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Chester is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (down 1.4% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · PA

Chester

Name: Average Rent Prices in Chester, PA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 33,619·130th most expensive in Pennsylvania·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate

Median rent (all units)

$1,299/mo

Year-over-Year

-1.4%

Month-over-Month

-1.7%

vs US Median

-$666

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Chester · $1,299

More affordable than 87% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

70/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 10% below what Chester's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,299/mo

Expected by trend

$1,442/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Chester's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,040

1 BR

$1,150

2 BR

$1,370

3 BR

$1,650

4 BR+

$1,880

Research median

$1,370/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$15,588/yr

At $1,299/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 1.4% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-1.4% YoY, -1.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Chester, PA is majority renter-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 14.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

33,619

Median income

$41,342

Median age

33.9

Renters

60%

Age distribution

23.5%

27.7%

20.1%

13.1%

15.5%

Under 1823.5%

18–3427.7%

35–5420.1%

55–6413.1%

65+15.5%

Gender

48.7%

51.3%

Male48.7%

Female51.3%

Race & ethnicity

13.7%

72%

White13.7%

Black72%

Hispanic11.1%

Asian0.8%

Other2.4%

Education (25+)

15.7%

45.8%

24.2%

14.4%

No HS diploma15.7%

HS diploma45.8%

Some college24.2%

Bachelor's+14.4%

Housing tenure

40%

60%

Owner40%

Renter60%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How Chester, PA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$992 → $1,299

up 30.9%

Income

$35,751 → $41,342

up 15.6%

Population

32,819 → 33,619

up 2.4%

Renter share

63.2% → 60%

-3.2 pts

Bachelor's+

14% → 14.4%

+0.4 pts

Median age

32.5 → 33.9

+1.4 yrs

The median rent in Chester, PA stood at $992 in 2022 and currently runs about $1,299, reflecting a 30.9% increase over the period. Census figures show median household income at $41,342 today, compared with $35,751 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 2.4% since 2021, moving from about 32,819 residents to roughly 33,619. Renters now make up 60% of households, compared with 63.2% five years ago. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2022.

Community

Discussions about Chester

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View Chester rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Chester on your salary?

At $1,299/mo, how Chester rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $93,535/yr · Rent = 16.7% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $66,409/yr · Rent = 23.5% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $76,497/yr · Rent = 20.4% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $136,729/yr · Rent = 11.4% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $174,705/yr · Rent = 8.9% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $62,182/yr · Rent = 25.1% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $56,143/yr · Rent = 27.8% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $69,201/yr · Rent = 22.5% income

affordable

By apartment size

Chester rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Chester. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Chester

About renting in Chester, PA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Chester is $1,299/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,040/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,370/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,150/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,650/mo.

At 38% of local median household income ($41,342/yr), Chester ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Chester an affordable city for renters?

Chester is considered moderate for renters. At $1,299/mo, rent takes approximately 38% of the local median household income ($41,342/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Chester slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Chester?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $52,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,299/mo in Chester. The local median household income is $41,342/yr, meaning the typical Chester household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Chester?

Rent in Chester has decreased 1.4% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Chester rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Chester is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #130 out of 167 tracked cities at $1,299/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Chester?

Crum Lynne is nearby and more affordable at $1,100/mo, which is $199 less than Chester.

What percentage of Chester residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 60% of Chester households are renters, while 40% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Chester has a strong rental market.

How does Chester rent compare to the national average?

Chester's median rent of $1,299/mo is $666 (34%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #130 out of 167 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

38%

MODERATE

At $1,299/mo, rent takes ~38% of Chester's median household income ($41,342/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Chester 38%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3.07%

Run the Chester affordability calculator →

Nearby cities