Chesapeake VA vs Norman OK — 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%

Norman, OK

Oklahoma · Population: 128,714

  • Median HH Income$65,060
  • Median Home Price$264,711
  • Unemployment5.7%
  • Bachelor's+46.2%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Norman
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Norman
52.7%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Norman
2375

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Norman
9.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Norman
38.9 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +

Which City is Right for You?

Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. 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, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Chesapeake & Norman