Chesapeake VA vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 38.4 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 56.2% | 31.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $55,339 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $39,698 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $55,297 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 22.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 50.5% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 643 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2824 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.4% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.5% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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