Aurora IL 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)
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
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
Aurora
24,510
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Chesapeake
56.2%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Chesapeake
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 37.7 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 6.1% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 56.2% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 7.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $43,819 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 36.4% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Chesapeake
$422,528
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $422,528 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Chesapeake
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Chesapeake
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Chesapeake
12.9%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 40.1% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 8.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.9% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 27.3 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,635. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Aurora. 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, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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