Chesapeake VA vs Fargo ND — 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%
Fargo, ND
North Dakota · Population: 129,064
- Median HH Income$66,029
- Median Home Price$318,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+43.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 129,064 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 9.7% | Fargo + |
| White | 56.2% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 29.0% | 8.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 3.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Fargo
$42,212
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Fargo
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $66,029 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $42,212 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 12.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 44.1% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Fargo
288
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 288 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2037 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 34.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 21.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Fargo
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Fargo
22.6 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 22.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fargo, ND | 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
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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