Burlington VT 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)
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
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
Burlington
44,649
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Burlington +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Chesapeake
56.2%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 37.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 6.1% | Burlington + |
| White | 85.8% | 56.2% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 7.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Chesapeake
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Chesapeake
36.4%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $43,819 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $69,581 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.9% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 36.4% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $422,528 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Chesapeake
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Chesapeake
1726
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 240 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1726 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Chesapeake
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Chesapeake
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Chesapeake
12.9%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 40.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 12.9% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 8.2% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.9% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 27.3 min | Burlington + |
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, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Chesapeake. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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