Chesapeake VA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 56.2% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 29.0% | 3.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $78,448 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $62,696 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 12.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 35.7% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $570,934 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 49.4% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 460 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2417 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.5% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Reno
8.3 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
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 460 in Reno. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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