Chesapeake VA vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 124,865 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 4.8% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 56.2% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 29.0% | 1.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $57,074 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $534,732 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Meridian
251
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 251 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Meridian
8.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, 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 251 in Meridian. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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