Chesapeake VA vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 56.2% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 29.0% | 11.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Omaha
$42,515
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Omaha
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $72,708 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $42,515 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $66,354 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 12.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 57.7% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Omaha
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 294 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1960 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 20.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.2% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Omaha
30.6 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 30.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Omaha. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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