Chesapeake VA vs Fremont CA — 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%
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Fremont
228,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 228,518 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 38.8 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 56.2% | 19.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 12.9% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Fremont
60.2%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $1,538,830 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 60.2% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Fremont
2388
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.8% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Fremont
16.7 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 33.9 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while chesapeake offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,528. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fremont. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fremont has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
Compare More Cities
Chesapeake, VA vs New York, NYChesapeake, VA vs Los Angeles, CAChesapeake, VA vs Chicago, ILChesapeake, VA vs Houston, TXChesapeake, VA vs Phoenix, AZChesapeake, VA vs Philadelphia, PA