1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chester, PA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Chester, Pennsylvania as of July 2026. That's +11% lower than the citywide median of $1,299 and +18% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Chester
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Chester
Compare Chester's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Pennsylvania
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Homestead | $658 |
| 2 | New Castle | $690 |
| 3 | Sharon | $720 |
| 4 | Johnstown | $730 |
| 5 | Grove City | $740 |
| 6 | Pottsville | $750 |
| 7 | Meadville | $770 |
| 8 | DuBois | $790 |
| 9 | Vandergrift | $790 |
| 10 | Indiana | $800 |
| 11 | Lewisburg | $820 |
| 12 | Lock Haven | $820 |
| 13 | Etna | $825 |
| 14 | Erie | $828 |
| 15 | Beaver | $830 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Pennsylvania
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glen Mills | $2,270 |
| 2 | Wynnewood | $2,220 |
| 3 | Newtown | $2,220 |
| 4 | Blue Bell | $2,220 |
| 5 | Wayne | $2,130 |
| 6 | Exton | $2,110 |
| 7 | Chadds Ford | $2,110 |
| 8 | Malvern | $2,080 |
| 9 | Bryn Mawr | $2,070 |
| 10 | King of Prussia | $2,030 |
| 11 | Conshohocken | $2,010 |
| 12 | Devon | $2,000 |
| 13 | Plymouth Meeting | $1,980 |
| 14 | Bala-Cynwyd | $1,910 |
| 15 | Wyncote | $1,900 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Chester.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Chester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glen Mills, PA | 9.2 mi | $2,270 | +$1,120 (+97%) |
| Darby, PA | 9.5 mi | $1,064 | $-86 (-7%) |
| Upper Darby, PA | 10.7 mi | $1,290 | +$140 (+12%) |
| Ardmore, PA | 11.9 mi | $1,750 | +$600 (+52%) |
| Devon, PA | 13.7 mi | $2,000 | +$850 (+74%) |
| Philadelphia, PA | 16.4 mi | $1,514 | +$364 (+32%) |
| Conshohocken, PA | 16.9 mi | $2,010 | +$860 (+75%) |
| Malvern, PA | 17.4 mi | $2,080 | +$930 (+81%) |
| Woodbury, NJ | 17.4 mi | $1,610 | +$460 (+40%) |
| Plymouth Meeting, PA | 19.6 mi | $1,980 | +$830 (+72%) |
| New Castle, DE | 20.9 mi | $1,370 | +$220 (+19%) |
| Blue Bell, PA | 22.3 mi | $2,220 | +$1,070 (+93%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Chester — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Chester?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Chester, Pennsylvania is $1,150 per month. This is +11% below the citywide median of $1,299.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Chester?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $46,000 ($3,833/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chester expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chester's 1-bedroom median of $1,150 is +18% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 32th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chester rank for 1-bedroom rent in Pennsylvania?
Among the 165 cities in Pennsylvania with 1-bedroom data, Chester ranks #81 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Chester?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Darby ($1,064).