Median Age
34 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
28%
Over 65
15%
Chester, PA
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,163
Population
37,753
Renter Mix
66% Rent
A riverfront community just minutes from downtown Philadelphia.
Commuter
•
Affordable
•
Sports
Chester sits on the western bank of the Delaware River, just 15 miles south of Philadelphia, with a history stretching back to William Penn’s first landing in Pennsylvania in 1682. That deep-rooted past gives the city a grounded character unique to the region. Widener University anchors the eastern end of town, adding academic energy, while Subaru Park draws crowds as home to Philadelphia Union soccer and a venue for concerts and events year-round.
Day-to-day life here has an accessible, no-frills rhythm. Bus lines cover most of the city, and commuter rail connects Chester to Philadelphia International Airport and surrounding communities. Whether heading into Philadelphia for work or staying local, getting around is straightforward. Shopping, dining, and riverfront green spaces round out downtime options.
The rental market offers solid variety, from traditional row homes and townhouses to apartment communities with studios through three-bedroom floor plans. Average rents range from $971 for studios to $1,167 for three-bedrooms, making Chester attractive for renters seeking metro corridor accessibility without steep price tags.
Explore the City
Twin homes offer a little more space for those who may need it in Downtown Chester.
Historic buildings fill downtown Chester, reflecting the town's past.
Streets of single homes mixed with duplexes characterize South Chester.
The Philadelphia Union professional soccer club calls South Chester its home.
The Chester Transportation Center is a busy hub for South Chester residents on the go.
Widener's Old Main sets the backdrop for a winter scene as students head to classes.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$36,928
Average: $50,773
Education
5,046
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
15,638
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Chester has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
66%
Non-Renters
34%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
10%
Other Education
90%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Chester, PA is $973 for a studio, $1,169 for one bedroom, $1,211 for two bedrooms, and $1,171 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Chester has increased by 2.2% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,169/month
732 Sq Ft
House
$1,718/month
953 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Chester, PA is for everyday living.
Moderately Walkable
Walkability
60
/ 100
Some Public Transit
Transit
40
/ 100
Moderately Drivable
Drivability
70
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
245 Students
Public
Grades K-12
700 Students
Chester Charter Scholars Academy
Public
Grades K-12
700 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
424 Students
Chester Community Charter School
Public
Grades K-8
4,276 Students
Chester Charter Scholars Academy
Public
Grades K-12
700 Students
Public
Grades K-12
700 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
484 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
484 Students
Chester Community Charter School
Public
Grades K-8
4,276 Students
Chester Charter Scholars Academy
Public
Grades K-12
700 Students
Public
Grades K-12
700 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
484 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
484 Students
Chester High School - Main Campus
Public
Grades 9-12
919 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Upland Park
- Scott Arboretum
- Delaware County Institute of Science
- Clayton Park
- Smedley Park
Transit / Subway
Commuter Rail
Airports
- Philadelphia International
Top Apartments in Chester
Houses for Rent in Chester
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
Nearby City Guides
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.