Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Chesapeake
56.2%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Chesapeake
3.7%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Chesapeake
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.7 | Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 6.1% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 56.2% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 3.7% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 7.4% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Chesapeake
$94,189
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Chesapeake
$43,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Chesapeake
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Chesapeake
36.4%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $94,189 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $43,819 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,581 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.9% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 36.4% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $422,528 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1726 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Chesapeake
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Chesapeake
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Chesapeake
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Chesapeake
12.9%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 40.1% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.9% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.8% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 8.2% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.9% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 27.3 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, 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 355 in Bend. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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