Chesapeake VA vs Newport News VA — 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%
Newport News, VA
Virginia · Population: 184,774
- Median HH Income$66,718
- Median Home Price$294,407
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 184,774 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 56.2% | 42.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Newport News
$66,718
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Newport News
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Newport News
15.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $66,718 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $37,475 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 29.1% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 48.1% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Newport News
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Newport News
1726
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Chesapeake +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Newport News
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 40.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.4% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.4% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while newport News offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,407. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Chesapeake. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chesapeake scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
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