Cedar Rapids IA 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)
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Chesapeake
37.7
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Chesapeake
56.2%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.7 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 6.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 79.7% | 56.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 7.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Chesapeake
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $43,819 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $69,581 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 36.4% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Chesapeake
$422,528
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $422,528 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 73.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Chesapeake
1726
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1726 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Chesapeake
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Chesapeake
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 40.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.9% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Chesapeake
27.3 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 27.3 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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