Chesapeake VA vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 100,731 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 56.2% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 29.0% | 6.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $56,025 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $30,475 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 19.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 16.8% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $439,767 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 40.0% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 326 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 22.0% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 21.4% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
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 326 in New Bedford. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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