Moving to Chester (CH1)

Cheshire West and Chester · Cheshire West and Chester

Planning a move to CH1? Discover council tax rates, Ofsted-rated schools, broadband speeds, green spaces and more for the Chester area.

Whether you're a first-time buyer, growing family, or relocating for work, this comprehensive area guide covers everything you need to know before moving to Chester. From local council tax rates and school ratings to broadband speeds and nearby green spaces, we've compiled the essential data to help you make an informed decision about your new home.

House Prices in Chester

Based on 648 property sales recorded by HM Land Registry in CH1 during 2025–2026. Median prices give a more accurate picture than averages, as they aren't skewed by unusually high or low sales.

Median Price (all types)£210,000
Average Price (all types)£285,624

By Property Type

Detached£409,995 (79 sales)
Semi-Detached£212,500 (137 sales)
Terraced£215,000 (181 sales)
Flat / Maisonette£175,000 (203 sales)

Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data (Jan 2025 – present). Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2025-2026. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Safety & Crime in Chester

As with many well-connected urban areas, Chester sees higher-than-average recorded crime. This is common in districts with busy high streets, nightlife, and transport hubs and doesn't necessarily reflect the experience of residents in quieter residential streets.

CH1 Total Crimes (13 months)6,508
National Average per District2,628
vs National Average148% above average

Breakdown by Category

Violence & Sexual Offences2,681 (189% above avg)
Anti-social Behaviour561 (32% above avg)
Public Order830 (359% above avg)
Vehicle Crime61 (54% below avg)
Shoplifting744 (240% above avg)
Criminal Damage & Arson350 (83% above avg)
Burglary140 (46% above avg)
Other Theft377 (117% above avg)
Drugs463 (398% above avg)
Robbery47 (31% above avg)
Theft from Person59 (20% above avg)
Bicycle Theft55 (139% above avg)
Possession of Weapons49 (88% above avg)

Source: data.police.uk street-level crime data (Apr 2025 – Apr 2026). National average calculated across 2,313 UK postcode districts. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Council Tax in Chester

Council tax is one of the most important ongoing costs to consider when moving to a new area. In Chester, council tax is managed by Cheshire West and Chester. The table below shows estimated annual rates for all bands, extrapolated from the published Band D figure using the standard ratios set by central government.

BandProperty Value (1991)Annual Rate
A£0 – £40,000£1678.22
B£40,001 – £52,000£1957.92
C£52,001 – £68,000£2237.63
D£68,001 – £88,000£2517.33
E£88,001 – £120,000£3076.74
F£120,001 – £160,000£3636.14
G£160,001 – £320,000£4195.55
H£320,001+£5034.66

Figures are estimated from the published Band D rate. Actual charges may vary slightly. Property values are based on 1991 valuations used by the Valuation Office Agency.

View official council tax bands for Cheshire West and Chester →

Essential Services Near Chester

84.4 / 100 - This convenience score reflects how well-served the CH1 area is for everyday needs. It's calculated from the density of GP surgeries, pharmacies, and supermarkets relative to the local population, giving you a realistic picture of how easy daily errands will be.

Total essential services (GPs + pharmacies + supermarkets)40

Green Spaces in Chester

Access to parks and green spaces is increasingly important for wellbeing, exercise, and family life. Our green space accessibility score measures the percentage of residential postcodes in CH1 that are within a 5-minute walk of a public park, playing field, or nature reserve.

90% of residential postcodes in CH1 have green space within walking distance, making this an exceptionally green area to live in.

Schools in Chester

For families with children, the quality of local schools is often the deciding factor when choosing where to move. Below is a breakdown of state-funded schools in the CH1 postcode district that have received an 'Outstanding' rating from Ofsted, the highest possible grade for teaching quality, leadership, and pupil outcomes.

Broadband in Chester

Reliable internet is essential for working from home, streaming, and staying connected. The broadband quality score for CH1 considers the proportion of properties with access to superfast, ultrafast, and gigabit-capable connections, as well as those still below the Universal Service Obligation (USO) threshold of 10Mbps.

25.9 / 100 - Overall broadband quality score for the CH1 district.

Superfast broadband (≥30Mbps)93.4%
Ultrafast broadband (≥100Mbps)72.0%
Gigabit capable59.8%
Below USO (≤10Mbps)0.0%

Moving to CH1? Compare broadband deals for your new address →

Energy Performance in Chester

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) rate a property's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The median EPC band for CH1 gives you a sense of how well-insulated and energy-efficient homes in the area tend to be, which directly impacts your heating bills and carbon footprint.

Median EPC bandC
Median EPC score71
Total rated properties9067

Homes in CH1 average EPC Band C. Compare energy deals for your new home →

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Nearby Areas in CH Postcode Area