Chesapeake VA vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 229,228 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 6.1% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 56.2% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 7.8% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $65,745 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $38,200 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 14.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 32.6% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 58.3% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Spokane, 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%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Spokane
8.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.6% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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