Chesapeake VA vs Lynchburg VA — 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%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 79,255 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 4.6% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 56.2% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 29.0% | 27.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 5.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Lynchburg
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $59,808 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $30,004 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 17.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 49.1% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Lynchburg
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Lynchburg
1726
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Lynchburg
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.4% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lynchburg, VA | 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
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Chesapeake. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
Compare More Cities
Chesapeake, VA vs New York, NYChesapeake, VA vs Los Angeles, CAChesapeake, VA vs Chicago, ILChesapeake, VA vs Houston, TXChesapeake, VA vs Phoenix, AZChesapeake, VA vs Philadelphia, PA