Chesapeake VA vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
St. Charles
7.7%
St. Charles +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 71,542 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.9 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 4.2% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 56.2% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 29.0% | 6.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 7.7% | St. Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $55,578 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $31,499 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,527 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 18.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 22.7% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
61.4%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 61.4% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 501 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2418 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | St. Charles, MO | 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
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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