Chesapeake VA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 56.2% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 29.0% | 18.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $90,685 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $427,121 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 64.9% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Virginia Beach
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Virginia Beach
1726
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while chesapeake offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,528. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Chesapeake. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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