Chesapeake VA vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 154,776 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 56.2% | 44.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 20.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $59,183 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $28,059 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $61,860 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 17.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 20.2% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
60.4%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 60.4% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 449 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2174 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 41.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.6% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 18.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.3% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kansas City 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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