Chesapeake VA vs Nashua 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%
Nashua, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 91,131
- Median HH Income$92,457
- Median Home Price$507,692
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 91,131 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 39.7 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 56.2% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Nashua
$92,457
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $92,457 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Nashua
56.4%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $507,692 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 56.4% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Nashua
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Nashua
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 27.6 min | Chesapeake + |
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, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Chesapeake. Nashua has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Nashua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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