Chesapeake VA vs Santa Rosa 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 129,239 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 56.2% | 31.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $720,443 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 41.2% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Santa Rosa, 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%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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