Cost of Living in Chester
North West
City
Cheshire, EnglandPopulation: 83,000
Average House Price
£236.5k
-18% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£39,447
+1% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£846/mo
-30% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£2,184Band D / yr
Energy£151/ mo
Water£36.00/ mo
Broadband£36.00/ mo
Bus Pass£67.72/ mo
House Prices in Chester
+4.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£236,530
Detached£414,200
Semi-detached£237,620
Terraced£168,950
Flat / Apartment£152,600
House prices in Chester have increased by +4.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Chester
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£39,447
Mean£44,408
Median hourly rate£18.82/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£26,936
Upper quartile (75th)£52,000
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
+1.0%
£408 above national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Chester
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Chester each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £846 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £182 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £151 |
| Utilities | Water | £36.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £36.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £175 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £262 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £142 |
| Estimated Total | £1,830 |
These figures are estimates based on averages and may vary depending on your lifestyle, property type, and household size. Council tax shown at Band D; your band may differ.
Transport Costs in Chester
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£67.72
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.34
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£175
Compare Chester with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Chester stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Chester
- What is the average house price in Chester?
- The average house price in Chester is £236,530, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £414,200, while flats and apartments average £152,600. Prices have risen by +4.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Chester?
- The median annual salary in Chester is £39,447, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £408 above the national average, making it a higher-earning area. Salaries typically range from £26,936 (lower quartile) to £52,000 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Chester?
- Average monthly rent in Chester is £846 per month. Rents have increased by +6.2% over the past year.
- Is Chester an affordable place to live?
- Chester is reasonably affordable, with rent taking up around 26% of the median monthly income. This is close to, but within, the 30% affordability threshold. The average monthly rent is £846, while the median annual salary is £39,447 (approximately £3,287 per month before tax).
- How does Chester compare to London?
- The average house price in Chester is £236,530, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Chester costs around 43% of London prices, making it £314,470 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £846 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Chester?
- House prices in Chester are currently rising, with a +4.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £236,530 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
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