Augusta GA 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)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
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
Augusta
201,504
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Chesapeake
29.0%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.7 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 6.1% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 32.8% | 56.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 56.5% | 29.0% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 7.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $43,819 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 36.4% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Chesapeake
$422,528
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $422,528 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Chesapeake
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Chesapeake
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Chesapeake
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Chesapeake
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Chesapeake
12.9%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 27.3 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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