Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Chesapeake
56.2%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Chesapeake
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.7 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 6.1% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 56.2% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 7.4% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Chesapeake
$43,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Chesapeake
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Chesapeake
36.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $43,819 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $69,581 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.9% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 36.4% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $422,528 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Chesapeake
1726
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1726 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Chesapeake
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Chesapeake
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Chesapeake
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Chesapeake
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Chesapeake
12.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.3 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, 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 251 in Boise. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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