Chesapeake VA vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 142,878 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 56.2% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $41,869 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 32.2% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $505,085 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 73.1% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 512 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3234 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.0% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 32.8 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, 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 512 in Thornton. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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