Cost of Living in Chester, VA
Population 23,519 · Virginia · 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 $291,000.
Located 13 miles south of Richmond, Chester falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 11% lower than Richmond's $328,000.
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 $290,600 — 5% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,463/month, 11% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $88,455/year is 19% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.4%, below the national average of 4.8%. Virginia's top state income tax rate is 5.8% and the combined sales tax is 5.6%. The climate averages highs of 69.5°F and lows of 48.4°F, with about 8.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Chester has a cost of living index of 102 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 2% more expensive.
🏠 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 | 48 | 52 | 60 | 70 | 78 | 86 | 90 | 88 | 81 | 71 | 60 | 52 |
| Low °F | 29 | 30 | 37 | 46 | 56 | 65 | 69 | 68 | 61 | 49 | 39 | 32 |
| Precip" | 3.23 | 2.61 | 4.00 | 3.18 | 4.00 | 4.64 | 4.37 | 4.90 | 4.61 | 3.39 | 3.06 | 3.51 |
| Snow" | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.8 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Chester, VA?
Chester has a cost index of 102 (100 = national average). It is 2% above the national average.
What is average rent in Chester, VA?
The median gross rent in Chester is $1,463 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Chester?
The median home value in Chester is $290,600 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Chester?
The median household income in Chester is $88,455 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Chester, VA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Chester is 5.6%. The Virginia state income tax top rate is 5.8%.
Is Chester, VA affordable?
Chester is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 102 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in Chester?
Chester has average high temperatures of 69.5°F and average lows of 48.4°F. Annual precipitation is 45.5". Average annual snowfall is 8.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Chester at a Glance
- Population
- 23,519
- Median Income
- $88,455
- Home Value
- $290,600
- Median Rent
- $1,463/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.4%
- Avg High Temp
- 69.5°F
- Sales Tax
- 5.6%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Virginia Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs