Chesapeake VA vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 56.2% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 29.0% | 14.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $58,407 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $37,533 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $57,929 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 18.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 33.3% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 52.0% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 429 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2375 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.8% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.3% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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