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City · 33,619 residents · Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Chester , Pennsylvania

In Chester, a typical home is worth $83,100 and typical rent is $1,091 a month. Compared with all of Delaware County, the typical home value is 75% lower, typical household income is 54% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 30 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $83,100

    75% below the county

    67% below Pennsylvania

    • Chester
    • Delaware
    • Pennsylvania

  • Typical rent

    $1,091a month

    20% below the county

    10% below Pennsylvania

    • Chester
    • Delaware
    • Pennsylvania

  • Typical household income

    $41,342a year

    54% below the county

    47% below Pennsylvania

    • Chester
    • Delaware
    • Pennsylvania

  • Households that own their home

    40%

    30 points below the county

    29 points below Pennsylvania

    • Chester
    • Delaware
    • Pennsylvania

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical rent
$1,386 a month
6.2% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Chester is in Delaware County. The FHA loan limit ($630,200 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Delaware County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Chester apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. 40% of households in Chester own their home, against 70% in Delaware County.

  2. The typical home in Chester is worth $83,100, 75% less than in Delaware County as a whole ($332,200).

  3. The typical household income in Chester is $41,342, 54% less than in Delaware County as a whole ($89,546).

  4. The typical rent in Chester is $1,091 a month, 20% less than in Delaware County as a whole ($1,372).

  5. Chester has the 17th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 232 cities in Pennsylvania with more than 5,000 people (65%).

  6. 10% of households in Chester have no internet at home (5% in Delaware County).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Chester

What homes there are in Chester, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

Homes here are varied: attached houses (townhouses) are 62% of them, more than in Delaware County (32%), and no kind reaches half.

Year built

The typical home in Chester was built in 1949, 8 years before the typical one in Delaware County.

Homes in Chester are smaller: 61% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Delaware County, 69%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

By rent, most homes in Chester cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,860): about 94%.

With a mortgage

$1,157 a month

Delaware County: $2,222 a month

Without a mortgage

$464 a month

Delaware County: $884 a month

Owners with a mortgage

40%

Delaware County: 63%

In Chester, 40% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,157 a month, against $2,222 in Delaware County. Without one it drops to $464.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Chester rose 15% since 2015–2019, less than in Delaware County (36%).

Much as in Delaware County, the typical rent in Chester rose 27% since 2015–2019.

The typical household income in Chester rose 28% over that time; home values changed +15% and rent +27%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureChesterDelaware CountyPennsylvaniaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate4.8%4.9%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.6%0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room 3.0%1.5%1.6%3.4%
People per household 2.442.562.392.53
Drive alone 58%64%68%69%
Carpool 11%7%8%9%
Public transit 10%6%4%3%
Walk or bike 9%4%4%3%
Work from home 10%18%16%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate2%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

More than one person per room: that is how 3.0% of households in Chester live, more than in Delaware County (1.5%).

Much as in Delaware County, a household in Chester has 2.44 people on average.

Many here get to work on foot or by bike: 9%, more than in Delaware County (4%).

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Chester?

A typical home is within reach of the typical income

We start with a typical home in Chester, worth $83,100, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 22% of the typical household income in Chester, which is $41,342 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Delaware County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Chester. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $2,909 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$764

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$81,594
Total interest
$117,395
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $1,403 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $965 a month

    Your payment · 22%

  • Tight

    $965 to $1,240 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,240 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Chester ($41,342 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$764
Principal & interest$553
Property tax$140
Home insurance$35
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$37

You need at least $2,909 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Chester and Delaware County

Chester is in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Chester's own numbers

Typical home value
$83,100
Typical monthly rent
$1,091
Typical yearly household income
$41,342
Households that own their home
40%
Effective property tax rate
2.02%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Delaware County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$630,200
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,860
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+53%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.1%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Delaware County.

Everything about Delaware County

Buying

Buying a home in Chester

A typical home in Chester is worth $83,100: 75% below the county and 67% below Pennsylvania. With the typical household income in Chester ($41,342 a year), a typical home costs 2.0 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Chester 2.0 years
  • Delaware 3.7 years
  • Pennsylvania 3.3 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Delaware County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Delaware County rose 84% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Delaware County.

Period County Pennsylvania U.S.
Last year (2025) +4.6% +4.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +53% +48% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +84% +77% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Chester next to Delaware County, Pennsylvania and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Chester $83,100
  • Delaware $332,200
  • Pennsylvania $254,500
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Chester $1,091
  • Delaware $1,372
  • Pennsylvania $1,209
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Chester $41,342
  • Delaware $89,546
  • Pennsylvania $77,971
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Chester next to Delaware County and Pennsylvania
Measure Chester Delaware County Pennsylvania U.S.
Typical home value $83,100 $332,200 $254,500 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,091 $1,372 $1,209 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $41,342 $89,546 $77,971 $80,734
Households that own their home 40% 70% 69% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $1,675 $6,124 $3,311 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 2.02% 1.84% 1.3% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 65% 55% 48% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Delaware County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Chester

For a typical $83,100 home in Chester, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Chester's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $764a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $2,909
    Cash to close
    $5,402
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $37

  • Conventional, 5% down $749a month

    Down payment
    $4,155
    Cash to close
    $6,648
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $39

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $625a month

    Down payment
    $16,620
    Cash to close
    $19,113
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $702a month

    Down payment
    $12,465
    Cash to close
    $14,958
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Chester and for Delaware County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Chester

2.02%of the home’s value each year

$1,675 a year for the typical owner in Chester.

  • Chester 2.02%
  • Delaware 1.84%
  • Pennsylvania 1.3%

What Pennsylvania publishes Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (PTRR) (Pennsylvania Department of Revenue)

Exemptions and deadlines in Pennsylvania

Flood risk in Delaware County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Delaware County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
1.1%
1,813
Of those, with NFIP insurance
39%
County Pennsylvania U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1.1% 2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 39% 23% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Chester

Typical rent in Chester is $1,091 a month: 20% below the county. In Chester, 65% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Delaware County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,860 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $35.77 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Delaware County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,438 $27.65 $57,520
1 bedroom $1,558 $29.96 $62,320
2 bedrooms $1,860 $35.77 $74,400
3 bedrooms $2,216 $42.62 $88,640
4 bedrooms $2,445 $47.02 $97,800

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Chester

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Chester is in ZIP code 19013.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,510: $350 less than the fair market rent for Delaware County ($1,860).

  • 19013 $1,510$1,800

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Chester when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Chester

HUD lists 30 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Chester. These are the largest.

  • The Ruth L. Bennett Homes 1201 Carlas Ln, Chester 19013 261 homes, 257 low-income · Run by Chester Housing Authority · Average payment: $384 a month · Average wait: 1 month (610) 904-1111
  • William Penn 401 Parker St, Chester 19013 160 homes, 158 low-income · Run by Chester Housing Authority · Average payment: $451 a month · Average wait: 21 months (610) 904-1111
  • Robert Stinson Towers 1501 Arbor Dr, Chester 19013 150 low-income homes · For older adults (610) 874-1421
  • Palmerhouse 1420 Esrey St, Chester 19013 124 homes, 123 low-income · For older adults (610) 874-6767
  • Chatham Family 500 Mosley Ct, Chester 19013 110 low-income homes · Run by Chester Housing Authority · Average payment: $508 a month · Average wait: 49 months (610) 904-1111

See all 70 buildings in Delaware County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Chester

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There are 4 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Delaware County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.

A man shakes hands with the specialist who helped him with his loan, in the kitchen of his new home.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Chester

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Chester or Delaware County. The ones below are statewide in Pennsylvania: they work in Chester the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Pennsylvania

Housing counselors near Chester

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Chester, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Chester Community Improvement Project

    23 E 5th St, Chester · 1 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 4 more
    (610) 876-8663

  • Media Fellowship House

    302 S Jackson St, Media · 5 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • and 1 more
    (610) 565-0434

  • Southwest CDC

    6328 Paschall Ave, Philadelphia · 9 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 4 more
    (215) 729-3948

Every agency in Delaware County All counseling agencies in Pennsylvania

Help in Spanish near Chester

None of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Chester

HUD’s record names them for Chester or Delaware County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Chester Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (610) 904-1111
  • Housing Authority County of Delaware Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (610) 876-2521

All housing agencies in Pennsylvania Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Delaware County

These cities are also in Delaware County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Delaware County Housing in Pennsylvania
See 9 more cities in Delaware County, with prices and rents

Every city has its own page with prices, rents and help.

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Chester, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Delaware County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Chester.

All guides
A couple spread mulch under the avocado trees of their family orchard, he on the tractor and she with a shovel.

Questions

Housing questions about Chester

Short answers with the numbers for Chester and all of Delaware County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Chester?

The typical home value in Chester is $83,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Delaware County it is $332,200.

How much does it cost to rent in Chester?

Typical rent in Chester is $1,091 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Delaware County is $1,860.

What is the FHA loan limit in Chester?

Chester uses the FHA limit for all of Delaware County (2026): $630,200 for a one-unit home and $1,211,950 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Chester?

The typical homeowner in Chester pays $1,675 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 2.02% of the home’s value; in Delaware County, the rate is 1.84%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Chester?

There are 4 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Delaware County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).