Chesapeake VA vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 114,799 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 56.2% | 50.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 10.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $76,205 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $36,138 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 16.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 29.9% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $484,226 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 44.0% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 326 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Lowell
8.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Lowell
15.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.5% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.1% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 30.1 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 326 in Lowell. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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