Chesapeake VA vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 112,612 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 56.2% | 54.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $55,176 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $30,804 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $53,141 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 22.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 55.6% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 834 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3177 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 17.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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