CountyScore

Chester County

Pennsylvania · PA

#61 in Pennsylvania
58.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Chester County, Pennsylvania

Above Average Despite High Housing Costs

Chester County's composite score of 55.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 5.2 percentile points, reflecting above-average livability despite elevated housing expenses. The county compensates through exceptionally high incomes that offset affordability constraints.

Below Pennsylvania's State Average

At 55.2, Chester County falls 10.8 points below Pennsylvania's 66.0 state average, ranking it seventh among the eight profiled counties. This ranking reflects its premium position pushing livability metrics in different directions than other state counties.

Pennsylvania's Highest Household Incomes

Chester County leads all profiled counties with a median household income of $123,041 and income score of 63.7, creating a wealthy and economically dynamic community. This exceptional earning power makes the county attractive for ambitious professionals.

Housing Costs Among the Nation's Highest

With a cost score of just 46.0, median home value of $461,800, and monthly rent of $1,691, Chester County is one of America's most expensive places to live. Even six-figure households may find housing consumes a substantial budget share.

For High-Earners Seeking Prestige

Chester County suits affluent professionals and executives with substantial six-figure incomes seeking prestigious communities and maximum career opportunities. It's not a value play but rather a lifestyle choice for those who've already achieved economic success.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax64.6Cost46SafetyComing SoonHealth82.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome63.7Risk8.1WaterComing Soon
🏛64.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠46
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼63.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤82.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡8.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Chester County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Osceola County
Florida
58.1
Median income: $68,711
DeKalb County
Georgia
58.1
Median income: $77,683
Polk County
Iowa
58.1
Median income: $81,621
Providence County
Rhode Island
58.1
Median income: $78,204
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Alaska
58.2
Median income: $90,625

Deep Dives

Chester County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Chester County

via TaxByCounty

Chester's taxes rank among nation's highest

Chester County's effective tax rate of 1.341% exceeds the national median of 1.09%, placing it in roughly the 73rd percentile. The median property tax of $6,191 is more than double the national median of $2,690, driven by both Chester's high effective rate and its premium property values of $461,800.

Above Pennsylvania's average, second-highest bills

Chester County ranks in the upper quarter of Pennsylvania counties by effective tax rate, slightly exceeding the state average of 1.317%. Its median tax of $6,191 is the second-highest in the state after Bucks County, reflecting the county's combination of steep rates and robust home values.

Steeper than Bucks despite similar rates

Chester's 1.341% rate is nearly identical to Bucks County's 1.383%, but Chester residents pay more in absolute dollars ($6,191 vs. $5,833) due to higher median home values. Both represent the wealthiest, most heavily taxed counties in the Philadelphia region.

Substantial: roughly $6,191 per year

On Chester's median home value of $461,800, the 1.341% effective rate translates to an estimated annual property tax of $6,191. This is among the nation's highest property tax bills in absolute dollars, reflecting the county's affluent character.

High values make appeals especially valuable

In Chester County's expensive housing market, even small assessment errors translate to substantial tax overpayments. Filing an appeal is particularly worthwhile here—a 5% overvaluation could cost hundreds annually, making the effort highly worthwhile.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Chester County

via CostByCounty

Chester balances wealth and affordability

Chester County residents spend 16.5% of income on housing—matching both the national average and Pennsylvania state average—despite having Pennsylvania's highest median income of $123,041. This exceptional balance means wealthy Chester households maintain the same rent-to-income ratio as average Americans earning far less.

Pennsylvania's wealthiest, most balanced

Chester ties Pennsylvania's state average at 16.5% rent-to-income despite commanding the state's highest median household income and median rent of $1,691. The county achieves ideal affordability precisely because incomes scale proportionally with costs.

Premium pricing for premium incomes

Chester's $1,691 median rent tops Bucks ($1,537) and Centre ($1,181) substantially, but the $123,041 median income far exceeds all regional peers, justifying the premium. Affordability remains balanced here only because Chester households earn 65% more than Butler County residents.

Chester's fortunate math

Renters allocate $1,691 monthly (16.5%) and homeowners $2,051 (19.9%) against the $123,041 median household income, the highest absolute spending in Pennsylvania. Despite large dollar amounts, Chester households retain substantially more discretionary income than any other county in the state.

Chester rewards high earners abundantly

Move to Chester County if your income places you in the upper 25% regionally—the $461,800 median home price and $1,691 median rent become genuine bargains relative to your earning potential. Lower-income relocators should look elsewhere; Chester's affordability advantage exists only for the already-affluent.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Chester County

via IncomeByCounty

Chester leads Pennsylvania's income ladder

Chester County's median household income of $123,041 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 65%, ranking among the wealthiest counties in the United States. This affluent Philadelphia suburb concentrates high-earning professionals and executives in a prosperous suburban corridor.

Pennsylvania's highest-earning county

Chester County ranks first among Pennsylvania's 67 counties with a median household income of $123,041—a commanding $53,427 above the state average of $69,614. The county's combination of suburban proximity to Philadelphia and concentration of corporate headquarters drives unmatched income levels.

Outearns all peers decisively

Chester County's $123,041 median income far exceeds nearby Bucks ($111,951) by $11,090 and dwarfs all other counties in this analysis, reflecting its status as Pennsylvania's wealth epicenter. The gap between Chester and lower-income regions like Cameron ($47,681) approaches 160%.

Wealth concentration with moderate burden

Chester County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio matches Bucks County, remaining comfortably below affordability thresholds despite the highest median home value ($461,800) in this analysis. Exceptional incomes enable residents to carry premium housing costs while maintaining robust savings capacity.

Optimize tax strategy and diversify assets

Chester County's median household income of $123,041 positions residents to accumulate substantial wealth through tax-efficient investing and diversified portfolios. Consult a tax advisor about strategies like maxing 401(k)s, funding HSAs, and exploring alternative investments to preserve and grow your significant earning advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Chester County

via HealthByCounty

Chester excels at national comparison

Chester County residents live 81.0 years—nearly 4.6 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Only 12.5% report poor or fair health, among the best rates in this county set, reflecting sustained wellness and access to quality care.

Second-best life expectancy in state

Chester County's 81.0-year life expectancy ranks it near the absolute top in Pennsylvania, trailing only Centre County (81.3 years) and far exceeding the state average of 76.4 years. The 12.5% poor/fair health rate is notably low across Pennsylvania.

Regional health powerhouse

Chester County's 81.0 years and 12.5% poor health rate are among the region's best—second only to Centre County's 81.3 years. The county sits 6+ years ahead of Cambria, Carbon, and Clarion counties in life expectancy.

Strong coverage, excellent provider network

Chester County's 5.8% uninsured rate sits comfortably below the state average of 7.0%, showing robust coverage. The county maintains 80 primary care doctors and 313 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the state's best healthcare infrastructure.

Keep coverage strong and continuous

With 5.8% uninsured and excellent provider access, Chester County leads on health security—but don't take coverage for granted. Review your plan annually at www.healthcare.gov; compare options to ensure you and your family maintain this county's outstanding health trajectory.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Chester County

via RiskByCounty

Chester ranks among state's highest-risk

Chester County's composite risk score of 91.86 places it in the relatively moderate category—24 points above Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45. Only one other county in the state faces comparably elevated disaster risk.

Second-highest risk in Pennsylvania

Chester County ranks second among all 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, just behind Bucks County. This exceptional exposure demands serious preparation across multiple hazard types.

Riskier than all nearby counties

Chester County's 91.86 score is only matched by Bucks County (94.78) to the north. All other surrounding counties—Centre, Carbon, Cambria, and Butler—score between 59 and 79, making Chester a notable risk outlier in the region.

Flooding, tornadoes, and earthquakes loom

Chester County faces exceptional flood risk (94.34), significant tornado risk (87.98), and high earthquake risk (90.17). These three hazards create a compounding vulnerability requiring comprehensive household preparedness planning.

Flood and earthquake coverage essential

With flood risk at 94.34 and earthquake risk at 90.17, Chester County residents must secure both standalone flood insurance and earthquake coverage. Reinforce your home's foundation, secure water heaters, and maintain a family disaster communication plan.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.