Chester, IL vs Deerfield, IL

The cost of living difference between Chester, IL and Deerfield, IL is dramatic. Chester is 60.5% cheaper than Deerfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chester has a cost index of 62 while Deerfield sits at 157, 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 $2,345/month in Deerfield — a 73% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chester is more affordable at $107,800 median vs $608,600.

Median household income in Chester is $74,673 compared to $189,705 in Deerfield (-60.6%). While Deerfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Chester spend roughly 10.3% of their income on rent, less than the 14.8% in Deerfield.