Chesapeake VA vs Great Falls MT — 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%
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 60,412 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 39.3 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 1.7% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 56.2% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 29.0% | 1.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 4.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
$63,934
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
$62,117
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
14.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $63,934 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $35,968 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $62,117 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 14.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 28.3% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
68.4%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 68.4% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
1984
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 433 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1984 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 35.8% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.2% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.0% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Great Falls
46.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Great Falls
14.0 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Great Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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