Chesapeake VA vs Medford OR — 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%
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Medford
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Medford
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Medford
N/A
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Medford
N/A
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Medford
N/A
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Medford
N/A
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Medford
N/A
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Medford
N/A
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 56.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 29.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Medford
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Medford
N/A
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Medford
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,691 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Medford
$410,269
Medford +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $410,269 | Medford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Medford
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Medford
3001
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 355 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3001 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Medford
33.0%
Medford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Medford
11.9%
Medford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Medford
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Medford
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Medford
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Medford
13.6%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 33.0% | Medford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.9% | Medford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.1% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.6% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Medford
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Medford
18.4 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
Medford
55.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Medford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $410,269. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Medford. Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Medford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
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