Chesapeake VA vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 156,309 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 38.0 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 56.2% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 29.0% | 1.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Lakewood
$85,789
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Lakewood
9.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $85,789 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 9.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $575,076 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 58.1% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 512 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3234 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 28.6 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, 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 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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