Chesapeake VA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 141,925 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 56.2% | 54.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 20.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $51,468 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $28,819 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 24.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 28.6% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 48.9% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 20.4% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 20.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.1% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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