Chesapeake VA vs Jonesboro AR — 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%

Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas · Population: N/A

Median HH IncomeN/A
Median Home Price$225,577
UnemploymentN/A
Bachelor's+N/A

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population

Chesapeake

251,153

Jonesboro

N/A

Pop. Density / sq mi

Lower = more space

Chesapeake

N/A

Jonesboro

N/A

Median Age

Chesapeake

37.7

Jonesboro

N/A

Foreign Born

Chesapeake

6.1%

Jonesboro

N/A

White

Chesapeake

56.2%

Jonesboro

N/A

Black

Chesapeake

29.0%

Jonesboro

N/A

Asian

Chesapeake

3.7%

Jonesboro

N/A

Hispanic

Chesapeake

7.4%

Jonesboro

N/A

Spanish at Home

Chesapeake

N/A

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Chesapeake, VA	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Population	251,153	N/A	-
Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space	N/A	N/A	-
Median Age	37.7	N/A	-
Foreign Born	6.1%	N/A	-
White	56.2%	N/A	-
Black	29.0%	N/A	-
Asian	3.7%	N/A	-
Hispanic	7.4%	N/A	-
Spanish at Home	N/A	N/A	-

Economy

Median HH Income

Chesapeake

$94,189

Jonesboro

N/A

Per Capita Income

Chesapeake

$43,819

Jonesboro

N/A

Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)

BEA MSA-level

Chesapeake

$69,581

Chesapeake +

Jonesboro

$53,714

Unemployment Rate

Chesapeake

4.9%

Jonesboro

N/A

Poverty Rate

Chesapeake

8.7%

Jonesboro

N/A

Bachelor's Degree+

Chesapeake

36.4%

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Chesapeake, VA	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Median HH Income	$94,189	N/A	-
Per Capita Income	$43,819	N/A	-
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level	$69,581	$53,714	Chesapeake +
Unemployment Rate	4.9%	N/A	-
Poverty Rate	8.7%	N/A	-
Bachelor's Degree+	36.4%	N/A	-

Housing

Median Home Value

Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS

Chesapeake

$422,528

Jonesboro

$225,577

Jonesboro +

Homeownership Rate

Chesapeake

73.8%

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Chesapeake, VA	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS	$422,528	$225,577	Jonesboro +
Homeownership Rate	73.8%	N/A	-

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Chesapeake

240

Chesapeake +

Jonesboro

660

Property Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Chesapeake

1726

Chesapeake +

Jonesboro

2507

Metric	Chesapeake, VA	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	240	660	Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	1726	2507	Chesapeake +

Health

Obesity Rate

CDC PLACES

Chesapeake

40.1%

Jonesboro

39.2%

Jonesboro +

Diabetes Rate

CDC PLACES

Chesapeake

12.9%

Jonesboro

11.4%

Jonesboro +

Poor Mental Health

CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month

Chesapeake

16.8%

Chesapeake +

Jonesboro

20.5%

No Health Insurance

CDC PLACES

Chesapeake

8.2%

Chesapeake +

Jonesboro

11.6%

Binge Drinking

CDC PLACES

Chesapeake

15.1%

Jonesboro

15.1%

Tie

Current Smokers

CDC PLACES

Chesapeake

12.9%

Chesapeake +

Jonesboro

15.7%

Metric	Chesapeake, VA	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Obesity RateCDC PLACES	40.1%	39.2%	Jonesboro +
Diabetes RateCDC PLACES	12.9%	11.4%	Jonesboro +
Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month	16.8%	20.5%	Chesapeake +
No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES	8.2%	11.6%	Chesapeake +
Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES	15.1%	15.1%	Tie
Current SmokersCDC PLACES	12.9%	15.7%	Chesapeake +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Chesapeake

N/A

Jonesboro

59.2°F

Annual Precipitation

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Chesapeake

N/A

Jonesboro

48.2 in

Metric	Chesapeake, VA	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal	N/A	59.2°F	-
Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal	N/A	48.2 in	-

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg

EPA AQS (state-level est.)

Chesapeake

8.2 µg/m³

Chesapeake +

Jonesboro

9.5 µg/m³

Good Air Days

AQI ≤ 50

Chesapeake

75.0%

Chesapeake +

Jonesboro

55.0%

Metric	Chesapeake, VA	Jonesboro, AR	Better
PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.)	8.2 µg/m³	9.5 µg/m³	Chesapeake +
Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50	75.0%	55.0%	Chesapeake +

Commute

Mean Commute Time

Census ACS

Chesapeake

27.3 min

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Chesapeake, VA	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS	27.3 min	N/A	-

Which City is Right for You?

Jonesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,577. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Jonesboro. Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jonesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.2%.

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About Chesapeake & Jonesboro

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