Chester, PA vs Kingston, PA

Chester, PA and Kingston, PA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Chester scores 76 while Kingston scores 75 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chester is $1,080/month compared to $960/month in Kingston — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Kingston has cheaper rent, Chester actually has lower median home values ($85,400 vs $164,200).

Median household income in Chester is $39,809 compared to $53,885 in Kingston (-26.1%). Kingston 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 32.6% of their income on rent, more than the 21.4% in Kingston. The Kingston ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.