Bismarck ND 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)
Bismarck, ND
North Dakota · Population: 74,146
- Median HH Income$77,608
- Median Home Price$373,227
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+38.7%
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
Bismarck
74,146
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bismarck
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Bismarck
38.2
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Foreign Born
Bismarck
3.6%
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
White
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Chesapeake
56.2%
Black
Bismarck
2.5%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Bismarck
1.0%
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Hispanic
Bismarck
3.2%
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Spanish at Home
Bismarck
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,146 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.7 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 3.6% | 6.1% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 84.8% | 56.2% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 2.5% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 3.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 3.2% | 7.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bismarck
$77,608
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Chesapeake
$43,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Chesapeake
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Chesapeake
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Bismarck
9.7%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
Chesapeake
36.4%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,608 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,475 | $43,819 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $69,581 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.7% | 36.4% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Chesapeake
$422,528
Homeownership Rate
Bismarck
65.8%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $373,227 | $422,528 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
288
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bismarck
2037
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1726 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Chesapeake
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
Chesapeake
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Chesapeake
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
20.4%
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
Chesapeake
12.9%
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 40.1% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.9% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 16.8% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 8.2% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.9% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
42.4°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bismarck
19.6 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bismarck
75.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Bismarck, ND | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.7 min | 27.3 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while bismarck offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,227. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Bismarck. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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