Chesapeake VA vs Sioux Falls SD — 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%
Sioux Falls, SD
South Dakota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$333,043
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 56.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 29.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Sioux Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,795 | Sioux Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Sioux Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $333,043 | Sioux Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Sioux Falls
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Sioux Falls
1873
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 405 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1873 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Sioux Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Sioux Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Sioux Falls
13.9%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 36.9% | Sioux Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.5% | Sioux Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.9% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 27.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sioux Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,043. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sioux Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.9%.
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