Chesapeake VA vs Cheyenne WY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chesapeake, VA
Virginia · Population: 251,153
- Median HH Income$94,189
- Median Home Price$422,528
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Cheyenne
58,754
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Cheyenne
37.0
Cheyenne +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
Cheyenne
2.1%
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Cheyenne
0.6%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Cheyenne
0.5%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Cheyenne
8.9%
Cheyenne +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 58,754 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.0 | Cheyenne + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 2.1% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 56.2% | 89.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 29.0% | 0.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 0.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 8.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Cheyenne
$69,171
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Cheyenne
$41,460
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Cheyenne
11.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Cheyenne
30.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $69,171 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $41,460 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,800 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 11.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 30.0% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Cheyenne
70.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $388,590 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 70.3% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 222 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1522 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Cheyenne
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Cheyenne
13.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 33.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.2% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.3% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Cheyenne
16.3 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Cheyenne
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 17.8 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Chesapeake. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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