Chesapeake VA vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 170,013 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 56.2% | 35.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 21.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $76,083 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $29,766 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 15.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 20.1% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $466,147 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 58.4% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.3% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.0% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 33.0 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 503 in Lancaster. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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