Chesapeake VA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 86,973 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 56.2% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 29.0% | 1.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $70,053 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $33,579 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $60,713 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 12.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 25.6% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Orem
60.9%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $509,396 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 60.9% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Orem
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 245 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1931 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.1% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Orem
13.3 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
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, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in Orem. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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