Chesapeake VA vs Schenectady 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Chesapeake +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 28,542 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 42.3 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 56.2% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 29.0% | 3.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 4.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 10.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 57.5% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Schenectady, 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%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.2% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.9% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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