Chesapeake VA vs New Haven CT — 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 132,893 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 56.2% | 36.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $53,771 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $34,482 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 25.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 28.4% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 37.9% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.9% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.2% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Chesapeake. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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