Chester, PA vs Hershey, PA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Chester is 24% cheaper than Hershey. With a cost index of 76 vs 99, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Chester to Hershey should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chester is $1,080/month compared to $1,241/month in Hershey — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chester is more affordable at $85,400 median vs $339,300.

Median household income in Chester is $39,809 compared to $78,750 in Hershey (-49.4%). While Hershey 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 32.6% of their income on rent, more than the 18.9% in Hershey. The Hershey ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.