Chesapeake VA vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Paterson
N/A
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 56.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 29.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $527,542 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.6% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 28.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.4% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,528. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Chesapeake. Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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