Chester, PA—19013
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Chester, PA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Chester, PA is $109,000, with a year-over-year change of 1.2%. This indicates that home prices in Chester, PA are increasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 1.5%, suggesting an increase housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $109,000 | 1.3% |
| Single Family | $109,000 | 1.9% |
| Condos | N/A | N/A |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | N/A | N/A |
2 Bed | $98,000 | 1.0% |
3 Bed | $114,000 | 2.7% |
4 Bed | $142,000 | 4.4% |
| 5 Bed | $158,000 | 6.8% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Chester, PA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Chester, PA is $1,330, with a year-over-year rent change of -0.7%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Chester, PA is studios: $937, 1-bedrooms: $1,210, 2-bedrooms: $1,300, 3-bedrooms: $1,570, 4-bedrooms: $1,700. The most common rental property sizes in Chester, PA are 3-bedroom and 1-bedroom, accounting for 43.0% and 25.3% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,300 | $1,330 |
| Studio Rent | $900 | $937 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $1,220 | $1,210 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $1,300 | $1,300 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $1,500 | $1,570 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $1,700 | $1,700 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Chester, PA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Chester, PA is 55. This is a increase of 17.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 32.0%, representing a large inventory and a lot of supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $150,000 | 4.0% |
Listing Count | 81 | 13.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.5% | 13.0% |
Days on Market | 55 | 17.0% |
Demographics — Chester, PA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Chester, PA has a population of 34,700, which has decreased by -1.8% over the past 5 years. Chester, PA is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 24.6% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 13.4% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 8.2% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 34,700 | -1.8% |
% Under 18 | 24.6% | 2.5% |
% Seniors | 14.9% | 21.1% |
% WFH | 8.2% | 141.2% |
% w/ College Degree | 13.4% | 21.8% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Chester, PA is a predominantly black area, with 72.0% of the population identifying as black. The black population has grown by 1.6% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Chester, PA is white, making up 14.0% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 4.0% of the population in Chester, PA, and this percentage has decreased by 7.0% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting fewer immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 14.0% | -13.0% |
% Black | 72.0% | 1.6% |
% Hispanic | 9.2% | -20.0% |
% Asian | 0.8% | -11.1% |
% Foreign Born | 4.0% | -7.0% |
Mortgage and Risk — Chester, PA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 220 mortgage originations in Chester, PA, of which 61.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 75.0%, with 45.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Chester, PA. Investor activity is low, as 13.0% of loans were by investors. 9.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting few homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 220 |
% Conventional Loans | 61.0% |
% Government Loans | 39.0% |
% Investor Loans | 13.0% |
% Second Loans | 0.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 9.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Chester, PA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Chester, PA under the Section 8 program is 24.5%. This is considered high, suggesting that the neighborhood is heavily composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom units appear to be good home sizes to consider for Section 8 housing in Chester, PA, because HUD payments exceed market rent, while 1-bedroom units do not.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 2,964 |
Total Units Section 8 | 1,977 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 24.5% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 91.7% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | -$70 | $1,220 | $1,150 |
| 2 Bedroom | $70 | $1,300 | $1,370 |
| 3 Bedroom | $150 | $1,500 | $1,650 |
| 4 Bedroom | $180 | $1,700 | $1,880 |
Affordability — Chester, PA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 2.2 |
| Median Home Price | $109,000 |
| Median Household Income | $39,400 |