Chesapeake VA vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.4 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 56.2% | 51.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Jacksonville
$66,981
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Jacksonville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $66,981 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $37,269 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 15.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 31.9% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 57.4% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Jacksonville
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Jacksonville
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.8% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 70.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 26.0 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Jacksonville. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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