Chesapeake VA vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 56.2% | 38.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 11.3% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Irvine
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 11.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $1,566,872 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 43.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Irvine, 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%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Irvine
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Irvine
14.3 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 26.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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