Chesapeake VA vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 68,505 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 56.2% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 29.0% | 9.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 3.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $76,174 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $61,587 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 11.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $561,069 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 46.7% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
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, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Chesapeake. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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