Chesapeake VA vs Columbia SC — 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%
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 138,019 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 5.1% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 56.2% | 49.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 5.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Columbia
$38,087
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $55,653 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $38,087 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $54,550 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 23.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 47.3% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Columbia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Columbia
1999
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 398 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1999 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.2% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.0% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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