Chesapeake VA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 56.2% | 39.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 14.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $580,173 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 41.1% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 398 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1999 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 24.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Washington, DC | 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
Chesapeake +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Washington, DC | 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
Chesapeake +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 32.8 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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