2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Chicago, IL vs Chester, VA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Chester or is it cheaper to live in Chicago?
- Chester is 5.8% less expensive than Chicago.

Which city has more affordable housing, Chester or Chicago?
- Chester housing costs are 1.0% less expensive than Chicago housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Chicago or is Health Care more affordable in Chester.
- Health related expenses are 12.8% more in Chester.
 Chicago, ILChester, VAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock99.6100
 Food & Groceries97.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock99.3100
 Housing99.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$331,300$338,100
 Utilities93  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock85.5100
 Miscellaneous139.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Chicago    270 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

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Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

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I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

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Reviews for Chester    6 Reviews

I just recently discovered a little suburb of Richmond, called Chester. Yes, it is small and not much going on in that area - but if you want a peaceful area to live -  More

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I grew up in Chester and it really isn't a bad place to live if you like living in a very populated area. It has great schools, low crime, easy access to both Richmond  More

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Chester, because of its location midway between Richmond, VA and Petersburg, VA, was once just a train station. With residential growth in affluent Chesterfield County  More

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