Alexandria VA 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)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
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
Alexandria
156,788
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Chesapeake
3.7%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Chesapeake
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.7 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 6.1% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 56.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 21.1% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.7% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 7.4% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Chesapeake
$94,189
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Chesapeake
$43,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Chesapeake
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Chesapeake
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Chesapeake
8.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Chesapeake
36.4%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $94,189 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $43,819 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.9% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 8.7% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 36.4% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $422,528 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Chesapeake
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Chesapeake
1726
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Chesapeake
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Chesapeake
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Chesapeake
12.9%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 40.1% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.9% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 16.8% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.9% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 27.3 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while chesapeake offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,528. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Alexandria. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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