Chesapeake VA vs Sandy Springs GA — 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%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 107,198 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 56.2% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 29.0% | 20.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $57,405 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $694,123 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 50.7% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Sandy Springs
1752
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 392 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1752 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 27.9 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, 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 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
Compare More Cities
Chesapeake, VA vs New York, NYChesapeake, VA vs Los Angeles, CAChesapeake, VA vs Chicago, ILChesapeake, VA vs Houston, TXChesapeake, VA vs Phoenix, AZChesapeake, VA vs Philadelphia, PA