Chester, PA vs Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes-Barre is moderately more affordable than Chester, with a 7.9% lower cost of living index. Chester scores 76 compared to 70 for Wilkes-Barre, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Chester can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Chester is $1,080/month compared to $939/month in Wilkes-Barre — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Wilkes-Barre has cheaper rent, Chester actually has lower median home values ($85,400 vs $108,000).

Median household income in Chester is $39,809 compared to $47,970 in Wilkes-Barre (-17%). Wilkes-Barre 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 23.5% in Wilkes-Barre. The Wilkes-Barre ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Chester is notably warmer with an average of 56.3°F compared to 51.3°F in Wilkes-Barre. Chester receives more rainfall at 44.1" per year compared to 38.7" in Wilkes-Barre.