Chesapeake VA vs San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 39.7 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 56.2% | 40.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 5.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
San Francisco
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 10.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $1,369,171 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 38.5% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 33.9 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 Francisco. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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