Chesapeake VA vs Norfolk 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 235,037 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 56.2% | 44.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Norfolk
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $64,017 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $37,433 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 17.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 32.7% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 45.7% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Norfolk
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Norfolk
1726
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Norfolk, 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%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.4% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.7% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Norfolk, 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
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk 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 Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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