Chesapeake VA vs Quincy MA — 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%

Quincy, MA

Massachusetts · Population: 101,361

  • Median HH Income$95,711
  • Median Home Price$679,883
  • Unemployment7.1%
  • Bachelor's+48.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Quincy
101,361
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Quincy
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Quincy
39.0
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Quincy
32.7%
Quincy +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Quincy
55.6%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Quincy
6.5%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Quincy
29.2%
Quincy +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Quincy
5.8%
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Quincy
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Quincy
$95,711
Quincy +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Quincy
$53,273
Quincy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Quincy
$85,405
Quincy +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Quincy
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Quincy
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Quincy
48.6%
Quincy +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Quincy
$679,883
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Quincy
45.0%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Quincy
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Quincy
1086
Quincy +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Quincy
22.9%
Quincy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Quincy
10.1%
Quincy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Quincy
15.5%
Quincy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Quincy
4.9%
Quincy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Quincy
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Quincy
11.0%
Quincy +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Quincy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Quincy
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Quincy
7.2 µg/m³
Quincy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Quincy
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Quincy
37.6 min

Which City is Right for You?

Quincy leads in median household income at $95,711, 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 326 in Quincy. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Quincy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Quincy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.9%.

Compare More Cities

About Chesapeake & Quincy