Chesapeake VA vs Columbus OH — 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Columbus
53.3%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Columbus
29.0%
Tie
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 56.2% | 53.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 29.0% | Tie |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 7.9% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Columbus
$65,327
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Columbus
$37,189
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Columbus
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Columbus
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Columbus
17.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $65,327 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $37,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,300 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 17.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 38.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 44.3% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Columbus
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Columbus
1866
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 319 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1866 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Columbus
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Columbus
15.2%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 34.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.2% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Columbus
40.2 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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