Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Health & Safety
Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.
Schools
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
Chester is a smaller city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 8,264 people. The majority of Chester residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and American Indian and Alaskan. Chester is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 37%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Chester. With an average one way commute time of only 16 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Chester could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Illinois if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, commute, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Chester and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Chester to Illinois and the national average.
The livability score in Chester is 62/100 and the city is ranked in the 49th percentile of all cities across America. For each of the livability categories, we see that Chester ranks very well for crime (A+) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Chester does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F) and education (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
The unemployment rate in Chester has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.12%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Chester market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Chester is real estate affordability. The median home price for Chester homes is $96,800, which is 44.6% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Chester, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 1.9, which is 36.7% lower than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Chester | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 16min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 86.3% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.4% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 4.6% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 1.1% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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