Chesapeake VA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 56.2% | 53.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 7.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $77,041 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $40,309 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 14.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 32.3% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 57.1% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 450 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2150 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 17.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 27.7 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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