Chesapeake VA vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Chesapeake +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 250,887 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 56.2% | 48.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Black | 29.0% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Chesapeake +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $57,673 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $35,074 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 17.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 54.6% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Wilmington, NC | 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%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Chesapeake +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.4% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.5% | Chesapeake + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. 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, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
Chesapeake, VA vs New York, NYChesapeake, VA vs Los Angeles, CAChesapeake, VA vs Chicago, ILChesapeake, VA vs Houston, TXChesapeake, VA vs Phoenix, AZChesapeake, VA vs Philadelphia, PA