Cost of Living in Chester, NY
Population 4,052 · New York · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Chester a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $281,000. An unemployment rate of 1.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Located 30 miles north of Paterson, Chester falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 16% lower than Paterson's $335,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Chester
The median home value in Chester is $280,600 — 8% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,649/month, 25% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $97,250/year is 30% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. New York's top state income tax rate is 10.9% and the combined sales tax is 8.5%. The climate averages highs of 60.0°F and lows of 38.8°F. Overall, Chester has a cost of living index of 105 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 5% more expensive.
Chester has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 35 | 38 | 47 | 60 | 71 | 79 | 84 | 82 | 74 | 62 | 50 | 39 |
| Low °F | 17 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 47 | 56 | 61 | 59 | 51 | 40 | 31 | 23 |
| Precip" | 2.44 | 2.44 | 3.25 | 3.50 | 3.35 | 4.33 | 3.30 | 4.40 | 3.89 | 3.68 | 3.04 | 3.37 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Chester, NY?
Chester has a cost index of 105 (100 = national average). It is 5% above the national average.
What is average rent in Chester, NY?
The median gross rent in Chester is $1,649 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Chester?
The median home value in Chester is $280,600 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Chester?
The median household income in Chester is $97,250 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Chester, NY?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Chester is 8.5%. The New York state income tax top rate is 10.9%.
Is Chester, NY affordable?
Chester is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 105 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in Chester?
Chester has average high temperatures of 60.0°F and average lows of 38.8°F. Annual precipitation is 41". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Chester at a Glance
- Population
- 4,052
- Median Income
- $97,250
- Home Value
- $280,600
- Median Rent
- $1,649/mo
- Unemployment
- 1.7%
- Avg High Temp
- 60.0°F
- Sales Tax
- 8.5%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
New York Rankings
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