Chesapeake VA vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 119,970 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 56.2% | 26.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $45,300 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $27,319 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 10.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 25.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 18.3% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 25.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Chesapeake +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 40.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 20.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 20.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.3% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Chesapeake. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chesapeake scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
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