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City · 5,218 residents · Chester County, South Carolina

Chester , South Carolina

In Chester, a typical home is worth $123,000 and typical rent is $902 a month. Compared with all of Chester County, the typical home value is 22% lower, typical household income is 12% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 19 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $123,000

    22% below the county

    53% below South Carolina

    • Chester
    • County
    • South Carolina

  • Typical rent

    $902a month

    6% above the county

    24% below South Carolina

    • Chester
    • County
    • South Carolina

  • Typical household income

    $46,138a year

    12% below the county

    33% below South Carolina

    • Chester
    • County
    • South Carolina

  • Households that own their home

    59%

    19 points below the county

    13 points below South Carolina

    • Chester
    • County
    • South Carolina

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$140,327
7.6% less than 12 months ago

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

Chester is in Chester County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Chester 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. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Chester fell 7.6%; in South Carolina, it rose 0.9%.

  2. 59% of households in Chester own their home, against 78% in Chester County.

  3. Chester has the 5th lowest typical home value of the 101 cities in South Carolina with more than 5,000 people ($123,000).

Sources: Zillow (September 2026 data); U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024). Zillow data

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

As in Chester County, most homes in Chester are detached houses (73%).

Year built

In Chester, half of the homes were built before 1962; in Chester County, before 1980.

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

With a mortgage

$1,162 a month

Chester County: $1,156 a month

Without a mortgage

$456 a month

Chester County: $391 a month

Owners with a mortgage

40%

Chester County: 43%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Chester is $1,162 a month, near the figure in Chester County ($1,156).

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

Since 2015–2019, homes in Chester gained value faster than in Chester County: 83% against 66%.

The typical rent in Chester rose 56% over the same time; in Chester County, it rose 29%.

To compare: typical income in Chester rose 75%; the home, +83%; the rent, +56%.

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

MeasureChesterChester CountySouth CarolinaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate8.3%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0.9%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate2.0%3.4%
People per household 2.452.432.442.53
Drive alone 85%84%76%69%
Carpool Unreliable estimate8%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate2%3%
Work from home Unreliable estimate6%12%15%
Other means Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate2%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Chester County, a household in Chester has 2.45 people on average.

In Chester, 85% of workers drive alone to work; in Chester County, 84%.

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 $123,000, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 26% of the typical household income in Chester, which is $46,138 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Chester 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 $4,305 (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

$1,013

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$120,772
Total interest
$173,763
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,077 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,077 a month

    Your payment · 26%

  • Tight

    $1,077 to $1,384 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,384 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Chester ($46,138 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,013
Principal & interest$818
Property tax$89
Home insurance$51
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$54

You need at least $4,305 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 Chester County

Chester is in Chester County, South Carolina. 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
$123,000
Typical monthly rent
$902
Typical yearly household income
$46,138
Households that own their home
59%
Effective property tax rate
0.87%

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

Numbers for all of Chester County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,103
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+68%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.9%

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 Chester County.

Everything about Chester County

Buying

Buying a home in Chester

A typical home in Chester is worth $123,000: 22% below the county and 53% below South Carolina. With the typical household income in Chester ($46,138 a year), a typical home costs 2.7 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 2.7 years
  • County 3.0 years
  • South Carolina 3.7 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Chester County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Chester County rose 121% in the 10 years through 2025.

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

Period County South Carolina U.S.
Last year (2025) +3.1% +3.6% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +68% +60% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +121% +104% +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 Chester County, South Carolina and the U.S.

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

Typical home value
  • Chester $123,000
  • County $158,300
  • South Carolina $259,000
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Chester $902
  • County $853
  • South Carolina $1,180
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Chester $46,138
  • County $52,458
  • South Carolina $69,324
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Chester next to Chester County and South Carolina
Measure Chester Chester County South Carolina U.S.
Typical home value $123,000 $158,300 $259,000 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $902 $853 $1,180 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $46,138 $52,458 $69,324 $80,734
Households that own their home 59% 78% 72% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $1,075 $890 $1,251 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.87% 0.56% 0.48% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 45% 45% 52% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Chester 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 $123,000 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 $1,013a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $4,305
    Cash to close
    $7,995
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $54

  • Conventional, 5% down $990a month

    Down payment
    $6,150
    Cash to close
    $9,840
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $58

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $807a month

    Down payment
    $24,600
    Cash to close
    $28,290
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $921a month

    Down payment
    $18,450
    Cash to close
    $22,140
    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 Chester County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Chester

0.87%of the home’s value each year

$1,075 a year for the typical owner in Chester.

  • Chester 0.87%
  • County 0.56%
  • South Carolina 0.48%

What South Carolina publishes Special 4% assessment ratio for your legal residence (South Carolina General Assembly (South Carolina Code of Laws))

Exemptions and deadlines in South Carolina

Flood risk in Chester County

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

Homes in the high-risk zone
0.9%
110
Of those, with NFIP insurance
14%
County South Carolina U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 0.9% 4% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 14% 85% 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 $902 a month: 6% above the county. In Chester, 45% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Chester County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,103 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $21.21 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Chester 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 $844 $16.23 $33,760
1 bedroom $850 $16.35 $34,000
2 bedrooms $1,103 $21.21 $44,120
3 bedrooms $1,515 $29.13 $60,600
4 bedrooms $1,593 $30.63 $63,720

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 29706.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,020: $83 less than the fair market rent for Chester County ($1,103).

  • 29706 $1,020$1,400

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 7 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Chester. These are the largest.

  • Arthur Underwood Manor 2678 Dawson Dr, Chester 29706 112 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of Chester · Average payment: $344 a month · Average wait: 21 months (803) 581-6981
  • Ramsey Grove Apartments 553 Flint St, Chester 29706 64 low-income homes · For families
  • Chester Townhouses Phase I 628 Lancaster Hwy, Chester 29706 62 low-income homes · 1 bd: 18 · 2 bd: 44 · In service since 2007
  • Chester Townhouses Phase II 628 Lancaster Hwy, Chester 29706 52 low-income homes · 1 bd: 11 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 17 · In service since 2007
  • Chester Manor Apartments 100 Torbit St, Chester 29706 60 homes, 36 low-income · For families (843) 881-7731

See all 9 buildings in Chester 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.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Chester County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A young man and a young woman look something up together on a laptop.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Chester

1 program is for Chester or Chester County, by its own record: they come first, each with what its official page says about being open. The ones below are statewide in South Carolina: they work in Chester the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in South Carolina

  • County First Initiative

    For Chester County

    South Carolina state agency rural initiative for certain counties: an FHA, USDA or VA mortgage at a special fixed rate with forgivable down payment assistance, for first-time buyers and for people who have owned a home before. Offered by SC Housing (South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority).

    Forgivable

    See the program Official page

  • Palmetto Home Advantage

    Statewide in South Carolina

    South Carolina state agency program with forgivable down payment assistance of 0%, 3% or 4% of the loan, with no monthly payments, for any buyer in all 46 counties. Offered by SC Housing (South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority).

    Forgivable

    See the program Official page

  • SC Housing Homebuyer Program

    Statewide in South Carolina

    South Carolina state agency fixed-rate mortgage with forgivable help for the down payment, closing costs or prepaid expenses: a 0% second mortgage with no monthly payments, forgiven if you live in the home 15 years. Offered by SC Housing (South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority).

    Forgivable

    See the program Official page

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.

  • Regenesis Community Development Corporation F/K/A Upstate Housing Partnership

    430 E Main St, Spartanburg · 44 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 8 more
    (864) 504-3090

  • Telamon Corporation - Greenville Branch

    300A S Daniel Morgan Ave, Spartanburg · 45 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 7 more
    (919) 899-9911

  • NSC (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Columbia, SC

    810 Dutch Square Blvd Suite 220, Columbia · 47 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (803) 255-0223

All counseling agencies in South Carolina

Help in Spanish near Chester

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves 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 Chester County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Housing Authority of Chester Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (803) 581-6981

All housing agencies in South Carolina Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

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

Everything about Chester County Housing in South Carolina

Neighboring counties

If Chester 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
Three women of one family lean in together to stir the pan.

Questions

Housing questions about Chester

Short answers with the numbers for Chester and all of Chester 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 $123,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Chester County it is $158,300.

How much does it cost to rent in Chester?

Typical rent in Chester is $902 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Chester County is $1,103.

What is the FHA loan limit in Chester?

Chester uses the FHA limit for all of Chester County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Chester?

The typical homeowner in Chester pays $1,075 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.87% of the home’s value; in Chester County, the rate is 0.56%.

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

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Chester County; the nearest ones are on this page. 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).