Chesapeake VA vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 39.3 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 56.2% | 53.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 9.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $507,575 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 56.6% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plano, TX | 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 27.6 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
Compare More Cities
Chesapeake, VA vs New York, NYChesapeake, VA vs Los Angeles, CAChesapeake, VA vs Chicago, ILChesapeake, VA vs Houston, TXChesapeake, VA vs Phoenix, AZChesapeake, VA vs Philadelphia, PA