Chesapeake VA vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Chicago
28.4%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 56.2% | 39.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 28.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Chicago
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $75,134 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $68,110 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 16.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 45.5% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Chicago
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Chicago
1842
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 344 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1842 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Chicago
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 36.5 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chesapeake, VA vs New York, NYChesapeake, VA vs Los Angeles, CAChesapeake, VA vs Houston, TXChesapeake, VA vs Phoenix, AZChesapeake, VA vs Philadelphia, PAChesapeake, VA vs San Antonio, TX