Chesapeake VA vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 149,827 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 1.5% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 56.2% | 14.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 0.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 2.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $43,238 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $26,868 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $46,995 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 9.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 26.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 28.6% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 48.6% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Jackson
247
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Jackson
1808
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 247 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1808 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Chesapeake +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 46.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.3% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.1% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
Jackson
55.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Jackson. 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%.
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