Chesapeake VA vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
New York
35.9%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 38.0 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 56.2% | 35.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 22.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
New York
$79,713
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $79,713 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 17.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $816,078 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 32.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
New York
1736
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 44.2 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, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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