Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Chesapeake
3.7%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Chesapeake
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.7 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 56.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 7.4% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 3.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Chesapeake
$94,189
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Chesapeake
$43,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Chesapeake
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Chesapeake
36.4%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $94,189 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $43,819 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 36.4% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $422,528 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Chesapeake
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Chesapeake
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Chesapeake
12.9%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 40.1% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.9% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.2% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.9% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 27.3 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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