Chesapeake VA vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 242,169 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 49.2 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 56.2% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Scottsdale
67.6%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $858,307 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 67.6% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 450 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2150 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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