2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Salem, VA vs Chester, VA

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Highlights
Are people in Chester older or younger than people in Salem?
- The Median Age in Chester is 2.4 years younger than in Salem.

Are housing costs cheaper in Chester or Salem?
- Chester housing costs are 27.3% more expensive than Salem housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Chester or Salem?
- The average commute for residents of Chester is 4.4 minutes longer than it is for residents of Salem.

Things to do in Salem?
Salem, Virginia is a charming city located in the Roanoke Valley. With its beautiful natural views and its impressive history, Salem has plenty for visitors to explore. From hiking at Burgess Memorial Park to shopping and dining in downtown Salem, the city offers an array of activities for all ages. The History Museum of Western Virginia showcases photos and artifacts of the area’s past while the O. Winston Link Museum highlights stunning photography by local photographer O. Winston Link. With its small-town charm and diverse attractions, Salem is sure to captivate anyone looking for a unique experience in Virginia’s Blue Ridge region.

Things to do in Chester?
Chester is an historic city located on the south bank of the James River near Richmond, Virginia. It has a rich history spanning centuries that includes both the Civil War and Revolutionary War eras. The city offers all sorts of attractions such as parks and museums where visitors can learn about its past or take part in outdoor recreation opportunities. There are also many delicious restaurants to enjoy while visiting Chester.

 Salem, VAChester, VAUnited States
 Population  Unlock22,512329,725,481
 Median Income$66,472  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock38.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$260,300  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.8%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time19.57  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Salem    4 Reviews

Over 9 years ago

I am looking for property in  More

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Over 10 years ago

When we moved from Glen Allen VA to Salem I had read on here that cost of living including housing was cheaper. Housing is less unless you want a house bigger than 1300  More

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Over 14 years ago

Salem is a lovely town surrounded by the beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains. Spring, Summer and Fall is exceptionally beautiful with moderate climate and lots of  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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