Chester, IL vs Crest Hill, IL

The cost of living difference between Chester, IL and Crest Hill, IL is dramatic. Chester is 35.6% cheaper than Crest Hill, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chester has a cost index of 62 while Crest Hill sits at 96, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Chester is $642/month compared to $1,386/month in Crest Hill — a 54% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chester is more affordable at $107,800 median vs $222,600.

Median household income in Chester is $74,673 compared to $71,408 in Crest Hill (+4.6%). Chester offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chester spend roughly 10.3% of their income on rent, less than the 23.3% in Crest Hill.