Chesapeake VA vs Clearwater FL — 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%
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Clearwater
117,075
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Clearwater
10.2%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Clearwater
3.6%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 117,075 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 46.4 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 17.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 56.2% | 70.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 29.0% | 10.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Clearwater
$64,440
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Clearwater
$42,934
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Clearwater
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Clearwater
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Clearwater
32.5%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $64,440 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $42,934 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 15.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 32.5% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Clearwater
59.1%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $341,503 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 59.1% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Clearwater
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Clearwater
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Clearwater
16.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Clearwater
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Clearwater
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Clearwater
14.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 33.3% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.0% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.3 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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