Rents are 4% below what Chester's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,386 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Chester is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in October 2021.
Rent in Chester changed +6.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 114 Pennsylvania cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.6%.
Rent has risen 5 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($41,342) is $1,034 a month. That is less than HUD's Fair Market Rent for a studio ($1,040).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Chester. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Chester, PA has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Chester, PA stood at $987 in 2022 and currently runs about $1,386, reflecting a 40.4% 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.
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Can you afford rent in Chester on your salary?
At $1,386/mo, how Chester rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Chester rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Chester. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Chester
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Chester is $1,386/mo as of October 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 40% of local median household income ($41,342/yr), Chester ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Chester?
Is rent going up or down in Chester?
How does Chester rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
At $1,386/mo, rent takes ~40% of Chester's median household income ($41,342/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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