Chester, NJ housing market
Home prices around Chester have risen about 52% over the past 5 years. No new homes were permitted in 2025.
Home values, sales, trends and how Chester compares with the towns next door — updated as new data is published.
Home prices up 52% in 5 years
The federal house price index for the ZIP codes around Chester rose 52% over the past 5 years, slower than across New Jersey (63%). Last year prices rose 9.9%. Carrying the Census median home value forward with that index puts the typical Chester home at roughly $1,237,000 today.
Show as a table
| Year | Change that year | Since 2000 | New Jersey since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +9.8% | +109% | +191% |
| 2024 | +3.9% | +90% | +174% |
| 2023 | +9.5% | +83% | +152% |
| 2022 | +14% | +67% | +128% |
| 2021 | +7.1% | +47% | +98% |
| 2020 | +1.9% | +37% | +79% |
| 2019 | +0.8% | +35% | +73% |
| 2018 | +1.6% | +34% | +68% |
| 2017 | −1.2% | +32% | +62% |
| 2016 | −1.7% | +33% | +59% |
| 2015 | +7.9% | +35% | +55% |
| 2014 | −4.1% | +25% | +52% |
| 2013 | +1.8% | +31% | +48% |
| 2012 | −1.9% | +29% | +47% |
| 2011 | −2.2% | +31% | +52% |
| 2010 | −6.9% | +34% | +59% |
| 2009 | −5.5% | +44% | +66% |
| 2008 | −2.9% | +52% | +81% |
| 2007 | −5.7% | +57% | +90% |
| 2006 | +8.7% | +66% | +91% |
| 2005 | +18% | +53% | +75% |
| 2004 | +7.7% | +30% | +51% |
| 2003 | +4.3% | +20% | +31% |
| 2002 | +10% | +15% | +22% |
| 2001 | +4.6% | +4.6% | +9.7% |
| 2000 | — | — | — |
Federal Housing Finance Agency House Price Index (annual, developmental) for ZIP codes 07930, 07931, 07836, 07869, covering 88% of Chester’s land, weighted by land area. It tracks repeat sales and appraisals of the same homes, so it shows how prices changed, not what homes cost. The estimated value scales the Census (ACS 2020-2024) median home value by that change.
No new homes permitted in 2025
No permits for new homes were issued in Chester in 2025. The last year with any was 2024 (4 new homes).
Homes vs. people, 2010–2020
Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, Chester's population fell by 125 even though 31 new homes were permitted. Homes are holding fewer people: households are getting smaller, or more homes are used part of the year. Across New Jersey: 2 new residents per new home.
Residents: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 and 2020 censuses. New homes: permits issued 2010–2019.
Show as a table
| Year | New homes | Single-family | 2+ per building | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (Jan–Aug) | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 4 | 4 | 0 | $1 million |
| 2023 | 3 | 3 | 0 | $1.2 million |
| 2022 | 10 | 10 | 0 | $1.6 million |
| 2021 | 13 | 3 | 10 | $2.6 million |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 | 0 | $275,000 |
| 2019 | 3 | 3 | 0 | $541,000 |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 | 0 | $1 million |
| 2017 | 2 | 2 | 0 | $279,000 |
| 2016 | 3 | 3 | 0 | $1.1 million |
| 2015 | 3 | 3 | 0 | $1.2 million |
| 2014 | 7 | 7 | 0 | $2.8 million |
| 2013 | 4 | 4 | 0 | $1.4 million |
| 2012 | 2 | 2 | 0 | $783,000 |
| 2011 | 2 | 2 | 0 | $568,000 |
| 2010 | 2 | 2 | 0 | $749,000 |
| 2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | $2.2 million |
| 2008 | 3 | 3 | 0 | $938,000 |
| 2007 | 11 | 11 | 0 | $5.4 million |
| 2006 | 8 | 8 | 0 | $2.4 million |
| 2005 | 18 | 18 | 0 | $5.6 million |
| 2004 | 32 | 32 | 0 | $9.9 million |
| 2003 | 28 | 28 | 0 | $10.5 million |
| 2002 | 39 | 39 | 0 | $10.5 million |
| 2001 | 18 | 18 | 0 | $3.9 million |
| 2000 | 80 | 80 | 0 | $15.8 million |
How Chester ranks on new homes being built →
Homes authorized by building permits, counted in the year the permit was issued. U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, through August 2026.
Chester and its neighbors
| Town | 1-yr change | 2-bed rent | New homes 2025 | Median income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | +9.9%† | $2,540 | 0 | $241,856 |
| Randolph | +4.3%† | $2,520 | 130 | $175,000 |
| Washington | +3.7%† | $2,330 | 17 | $165,651 |
| Mendham | +10%† | $3,230 | 38 | $250,001 |
| Mount Olive | +3.2%† | $2,240 | 79 | $117,394 |
| Bedminster | — | $2,930 | 0 | $123,709 |
| Tewksbury | +6.2%† | $2,290 | 2 | $192,576 |
† FHFA price index change, where Zillow has no home value for the town.
3.3 years of income
The typical Chester home costs about 3.3 years of the town's median household income, less than across New Jersey (5.6 years).
How Chester ranks on affordability →
Home value ÷ ACS median household income.
Owners, rent & taxes
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024.
A two-bedroom rents for about $2,540
HUD's Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom in Chester is $2,540 a month, utilities included: roughly what a modest, recently rented unit costs. Renters already in Chester pay a median of $2,787. A two-bedroom takes about 13% of the town's median household income.
Studio $1,850 · 4 bedrooms $3,580
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, FY2026 Fair Market Rents by ZIP code (07836, 07869, 07930, 07931; Newark, NJ HUD Metro FMR Area), weighted by land area. A Fair Market Rent is the 40th-percentile rent plus utilities for a standard unit. Median rent: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
Home values: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), Zillow Research. Sales, days on market and supply: Redfin Data Center. Income, ownership, taxes and rent: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. New homes: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey. Price trend: Federal Housing Finance Agency House Price Index. Fair Market Rents: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Listings link to their publishers.