An overview of the general cost of living index for Chester, PA is displayed above for your reference. Residents in Chester, PA enjoy a cost of living index of 91. This index is 9% lower than the Pennsylvania average, and 9% lower than the national average. The following categories are used when determining the cost of living index for any given city: health care (5%), transportation (9%), utilities (10%), groceries (13%), housing (30%), and goods/services (33%). Clearly, housing and goods/services make up the majority of the formula for calculating the cost of living index. Because of this, the general cost of living for any given area can be estimated by looking at the cost of everyday goods in that area. For those living in Chester, PA, the average cost of goods and services is 11% higher than it is in Pennsylvania, and it is 10% higher than the national average.