Chesapeake VA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 209,720 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 56.2% | 41.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $46,628 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $30,451 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 26.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 29.9% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 37.2% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.6% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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