Chesapeake VA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Chesapeake +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 126,103 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 38.2 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 5.3% | Chesapeake + |
| White | 56.2% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 29.0% | 9.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.8% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $55,902 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $33,290 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $61,860 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 15.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 29.1% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 59.2% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 449 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2174 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.9% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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