Chesapeake VA vs San Diego CA — 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 56.2% | 50.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 5.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
San Diego
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 11.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $1,006,261 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 47.6% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
San Diego
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 503 in San Diego. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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