Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Chesapeake
251,153
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Chesapeake
29.0%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Chesapeake
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 251,153 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.7 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 6.1% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 56.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 60.0% | 29.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 7.4% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Chesapeake
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $43,819 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $69,581 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 36.4% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Chesapeake
$422,528
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $422,528 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Chesapeake
1726
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1726 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 40.1% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.9% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 27.3 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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