Chesapeake VA vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Westminster
37.5
Westminster +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Westminster
8.2%
Westminster +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 115,546 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.5 | Westminster + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 8.2% | Westminster + |
| White | 56.2% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 29.0% | 1.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Chesapeake +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Westminster
63.7%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $528,447 | Chesapeake + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 63.7% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 512 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3234 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.1% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 28.6 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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