Chesapeake VA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 190,214 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 56.2% | 40.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 13.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $66,772 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $36,694 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $64,538 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 20.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 34.7% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $429,449 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 41.2% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.6% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 27.4 min | Chesapeake + |
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, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Chesapeake. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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