Chesapeake VA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 56.2% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 29.0% | 6.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 9.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $871,599 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 44.3% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 383 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3409 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 28.8 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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