Chesapeake VA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 56.2% | 16.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $48,416 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $25,509 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 10.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 24.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 17.4% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $482,675 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 24.1% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 20.0% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 23.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.2% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Chesapeake. 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, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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