Chesapeake VA vs Huntington WV — 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%
Huntington, WV
West Virginia · Population: 46,189
- Median HH Income$43,146
- Median Home Price$138,553
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+34.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Huntington
46,189
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Huntington
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
Huntington
1.8%
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Huntington
6.5%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Huntington
1.3%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Huntington
2.0%
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Huntington
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 46,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.9 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 1.8% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 56.2% | 85.0% | Huntington + |
| Black | 29.0% | 6.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 2.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Huntington
$43,146
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Huntington
$30,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Huntington
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Huntington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Huntington
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Huntington
34.4%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $43,146 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $30,024 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $50,163 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 27.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 34.4% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Huntington
52.5%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $138,553 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 52.5% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Huntington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Huntington
1999
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 398 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1999 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Chesapeake +
Huntington
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Huntington
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Huntington
24.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Huntington
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Huntington
20.6%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 46.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 24.0% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.7% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 20.6% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Huntington
56.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Huntington
43.1 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
Huntington
55.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 20.2 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Huntington. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chesapeake scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
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