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Chester, Illinois Utility & Living Guide
Chester is a city in and the county seat of Randolph County, Illinois, United States, on a bluff above the Mississippi River. The population was 7,640 at the 2020 census.
Total Utilities$315/mo
1BR Rent$565/mo
Sales Tax6.25%
COL Index97 (-3)
Family Score6/10
Median Home$111,100
📷 Live Cameras — Chester
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🌤️ Live Weather — Chester
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Living in Chester, summers are hot, with Jul highs around 89.0°F, while winters are chilly, with Feb lows around 26.9°F. Winter heating is a real budget factor — 3943 degree days means 4-5 months of meaningful energy bills. The area receives 45.5 inches of rainfall per year. Median household income: $68,826. With a 20.1% poverty rate and 69.5% homeownership, the community reflects a stable residential mix. Air quality is Good — avg AQI 46 over the past week.
⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Chester
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💰 Budget Calculator
🔌 Utilities
🏠 Housing
📊 Cost of Living
💰 Taxes
👨👩👧 Families
🧮 Tools
Monthly Utility Costs
⚡ Electric
$130/mo
Local utility provider
🔥 Gas
$60/mo
Local gas utility
💧 Water
$35/mo
Municipal water department
🗑️ Garbage
$25/mo
Municipal waste management
📶 Internet
$65/mo
Housing Market
| Rent & Property | |
|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $565/mo |
| 2 Bedrooms | $628/mo |
| 3 Bedrooms | $785/mo |
| Median Home Price | $111,100 |
| Property Tax Rate | 2.07% |
| Avg Childcare/mo | $1000 |
Contact a local realtor for current market conditions in Chester.
Cost of Living
Overall COL Index
97
US national avg = 100
vs National Avg
-3
Groceries
97
Transportation
100
Healthcare
100
Childcare/mo
$1000
Tax Rates
| Tax Overview | |
|---|---|
| Total Sales Tax | 6.25% |
| Property Tax Rate | 2.07% |
Family & Relocation
Family Vibe Score
6/10
Safety Index
55
Higher = safer
School Rating
6
GreatSchools avg
Avg Childcare
$1000/mo
City Pulse
Population Trend
Population: 5,000
Household Budget Calculator
Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Chester based on your household profile.
Financial Tools
Calculators
- Income Tax CalculatorEstimate take-home pay by state
- Mortgage CalculatorMonthly payment estimator
- Affordability CalculatorHow much home can you afford?
- Childcare Cost EstimatorCompare daycare costs by city
Planning Tools
- Retirement PlannerRetirement readiness check
- Car Lease CalculatorMonthly lease payment estimator
- Savings CalculatorGrow your emergency fund
- City Comparison ToolCompare cities side by side
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📊 Chester — Census & Demographic Data
Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
💰 Median Household Income
$68,826
🏠 Homeownership Rate
69.5%
🔑 Renter Rate
30.5%
📉 Poverty Rate
20.1%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.7%
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