Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Chesapeake
29.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.7 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 6.1% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 25.6% | 56.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 67.1% | 29.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 7.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $43,819 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 36.4% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Chesapeake
$422,528
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $422,528 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Chesapeake
40.1%
Chesapeake +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Chesapeake
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.9% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 27.3 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. 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, Chesapeake scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
Compare More Cities
Birmingham, AL vs New York, NYBirmingham, AL vs Los Angeles, CABirmingham, AL vs Chicago, ILBirmingham, AL vs Houston, TXBirmingham, AL vs Phoenix, AZBirmingham, AL vs Philadelphia, PA