Chestnut Hill, PA vs West Chester, PA

Chestnut Hill is moderately more affordable than West Chester, with a 6.7% lower cost of living index. Chestnut Hill scores 117 compared to 126 for West Chester, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of West Chester can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Chestnut Hill is $1,746/month compared to $1,661/month in West Chester — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while West Chester has cheaper rent, Chestnut Hill actually has lower median home values ($362,800 vs $481,300).

Median household income in Chestnut Hill is $125,417 compared to $81,492 in West Chester (+53.9%). Chestnut Hill offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chestnut Hill spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, less than the 24.5% in West Chester.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.1°F vs 52.3°F). Chestnut Hill receives more rainfall at 47.4" per year compared to 47.1" in West Chester.