Akron OH vs Chesapeake VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Chesapeake, VA
Virginia · Population: 251,153
- Median HH Income$94,189
- Median Home Price$422,528
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Akron
56.1%
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Chesapeake
29.0%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Chesapeake
3.7%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.7 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 6.1% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 56.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.4% | 29.0% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.7% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 7.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $43,819 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 36.4% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Chesapeake
$422,528
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $422,528 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1726 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Chesapeake
40.1%
Chesapeake +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Chesapeake
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 40.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.1% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 12.9% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 27.3 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chesapeake scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
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