Chester, VT vs Manchester, VT

Chester, VT and Manchester, VT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4% difference in their overall index. Chester scores 84 while Manchester scores 87 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 $938/month compared to $479/month in Manchester — a 96% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Manchester has cheaper rent, Chester actually has lower median home values ($245,300 vs $458,100).

Median household income in Chester is $67,782 compared to $62,813 in Manchester (+7.9%). Chester 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 16.6% of their income on rent, more than the 9.2% in Manchester.