Chesapeake VA vs Pembroke Pines FL — 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%
Pembroke Pines, FL
Florida · Population: 170,557
- Median HH Income$81,675
- Median Home Price$488,550
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pembroke Pines
170,557
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Pembroke Pines
43.7
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Pembroke Pines
39.5%
Pembroke Pines +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Pembroke Pines
43.9%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Pembroke Pines
21.2%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Pembroke Pines
5.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Pembroke Pines
47.8%
Pembroke Pines +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 170,557 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 43.7 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 39.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| White | 56.2% | 43.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 21.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 47.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Pembroke Pines
$81,675
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Pembroke Pines
$39,881
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Pembroke Pines
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Pembroke Pines
4.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Pembroke Pines
10.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Pembroke Pines
38.1%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $81,675 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $39,881 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 10.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 38.1% | Pembroke Pines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Pembroke Pines
$488,550
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Pembroke Pines
70.8%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $488,550 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 70.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Pembroke Pines
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Pembroke Pines
1453
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | Pembroke Pines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Pembroke Pines
29.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Pembroke Pines
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Pembroke Pines
14.5%
Pembroke Pines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Pembroke Pines
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Pembroke Pines
14.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Pembroke Pines
9.7%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 29.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 17.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.7% | Pembroke Pines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Pembroke Pines, FL | 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
Pembroke Pines
7.2 µg/m³
Pembroke Pines +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Pembroke Pines
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Pembroke Pines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Pembroke Pines
33.2 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 33.2 min | Chesapeake + |
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 324 in Pembroke Pines. Pembroke Pines has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Pembroke Pines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pembroke Pines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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