Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Chesapeake
251,153
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Chesapeake
56.2%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Chesapeake
3.7%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Chesapeake
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 251,153 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.7 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 6.1% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 56.2% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 3.7% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 7.4% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Chesapeake
$43,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Chesapeake
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Chesapeake
36.4%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $43,819 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.9% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 36.4% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $422,528 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Chesapeake
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Chesapeake
12.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 40.1% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.9% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.9% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 27.3 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, 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 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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