Ann Arbor MI 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)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
251,153
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
56.2%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
29.0%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
3.7%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 251,153 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 56.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 29.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
$94,189
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
$43,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
8.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
36.4%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $94,189 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $43,819 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 36.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
73.8%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $422,528 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 73.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Chesapeake
1726
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Chesapeake
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Chesapeake
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Chesapeake
12.9%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 40.1% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 12.9% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 8.2% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.9% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 471 in Ann Arbor. Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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