Chesapeake VA vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 79,526 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 40.7 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 56.2% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 29.0% | 5.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 4.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Plymouth
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,467 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $514,358 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Plymouth
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 284 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1992 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, 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 284 in Plymouth. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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