Chester, MA vs Devens, MA

The cost of living difference between Chester, MA and Devens, MA is dramatic. Chester is 31.8% cheaper than Devens, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chester has a cost index of 84 while Devens sits at 123, 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 $1,095/month compared to $1,628/month in Devens — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chester is more affordable at $203,300 median vs $464,000.

Median household income in Chester is $86,042 compared to $113,125 in Devens (-23.9%). The higher salaries in Devens partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Chester spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in Devens.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 48.9°F). Chester receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 43.4" in Devens.