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Cost of living in West Chester, Pennsylvania

Chester County, PA

Part of the Philadelphia Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,831/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 540,896 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,512 39%
Federal tax $832 22%
Healthcare $480 13%
Groceries $341 9%
Transport $250 7%
Energy $205 5%
State tax $156 4%
Water $55 1%

Rent in West Chester

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,372
per month
1 bedroom
$1,512
per month
2 bedroom
$1,802
per month
3 bedroom
$2,171
per month
4 bedroom
$2,468
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in West Chester

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$123,041
per year
Individual earnings
$60,912
per year
Per capita
$63,089
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in West Chester

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$461,800
Annual property tax
$6,191

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in West Chester

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$143
per month · 17.9¢/kWh
Natural gas
$62
per month
Annual total
$2,460
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in West Chester

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.4%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in West Chester

State and local tax rates for Pennsylvania.

State income tax
3.1%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.3%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in West Chester

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
27.4 min
Drive alone
66.9%
Public transit
1.4%
Work from home
21.7%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for West Chester

What it costs to live in West Chester each month.

Single person
$3,831
per month
  • Rent $1,512
  • Energy $205
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $341
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $832
  • State tax $156
Couple
$5,891
per month
  • Rent $1,802
  • Energy $246
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $565
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,684
  • State tax $315
Family
$8,410
per month
  • Rent $2,171
  • Energy $308
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $857
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,684
  • State tax $315

Frequently asked questions about West Chester

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in West Chester?

In West Chester, Pennsylvania, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,512 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,802 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,171 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in West Chester?

In West Chester, Pennsylvania, the average household income is $123,041 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $60,912 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in West Chester?

The estimated cost of living in West Chester, Pennsylvania is approximately $3,831 per month for a single person, $5,891 for a couple, $8,410 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in West Chester?

The combined sales tax rate in West Chester, Pennsylvania is 6.34%, which includes the Pennsylvania state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.34%.

Is West Chester an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in West Chester, Pennsylvania would need approximately $3,831 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $123,041 per year ($10,253 per month). West Chester is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in West Chester?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in West Chester, Pennsylvania is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in West Chester?

The average home value in West Chester, Pennsylvania is $461,800, with average annual property taxes of $6,191, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does West Chester compare to other areas?

You can compare West Chester, Pennsylvania with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. West Chester is in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area.

Other counties in Pennsylvania

Browse the full list of counties in Pennsylvania, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Pennsylvania

Compare West Chester with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources