Chesapeake VA vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 56.2% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 29.0% | 7.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $76,983 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $61,837 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 16.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $429,253 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 46.6% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 309 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 20.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
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 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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