Albany NY 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)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
Albany
100,081
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Albany
53.0%
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Chesapeake
3.7%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Chesapeake
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.7 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 6.1% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 56.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 26.6% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 3.7% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 7.4% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Chesapeake
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Chesapeake
36.4%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $43,819 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,581 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 36.4% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Chesapeake
$422,528
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $422,528 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1726 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Chesapeake
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Chesapeake
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Chesapeake
12.9%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 40.1% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.9% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.2% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.9% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.3 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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