Chesapeake VA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 135,806 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 38.2 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 56.2% | 49.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 19.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Stamford
4.9%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Stamford
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.9% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 9.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $708,498 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 47.5% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 30.1 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while chesapeake offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,528. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Chesapeake. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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