Chesapeake VA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 115,415 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.9 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 56.2% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 29.0% | 5.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Manchester
$77,415
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Manchester
10.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $77,415 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 10.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 33.5% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $441,257 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 49.3% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Manchester
12.9%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.4% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
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, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Chesapeake. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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