Chesapeake VA vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 38.6 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 56.2% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 29.0% | 5.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $88,792 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,691 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 12.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $538,687 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 52.8% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 355 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3001 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.3% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 78.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 26.5 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, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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