Chesapeake VA vs Fayetteville AR — 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%
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 97,227 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 5.7% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 56.2% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 29.0% | 5.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
$37,885
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $59,074 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $37,885 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $53,714 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 21.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $380,101 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 41.9% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 660 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2507 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 20.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
Fayetteville
55.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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