Chesapeake, Virginia
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Chesapeake.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Chesapeake?
Chesapeake planning snapshot: population 254,997, housing index 116 (above the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $359,100, median rent $1,523, and income near $94,189. Expect 90°F summer highs, 35°F winter lows, and about 26-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 456.3 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 116U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $359,100U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,523U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $94,189U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.6%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 26 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 456.3per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 90°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Chesapeake compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 254,997City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $94,189Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year20% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 116ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year16% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $359,100City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year18% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,523City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year13% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.6%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 26 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 2153% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 456.3annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)22% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2273.5annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)26% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 90°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals3.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 35°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (34°F)U.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 48.6 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals47% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 365As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals36% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Chesapeake grew 14.1% from 223,556 in 2010 to 254,997 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Chesapeake expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Chesapeake runs 16 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 116 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $359,100 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,523 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Chesapeake?
Budget first around $1,523/month rent or $359,100 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $359,100
- Median rent $1,523/month
- Median household income $94,189
What is the job market like in Chesapeake?
Labor-market context for Chesapeake: unemployment 3.6% and median income $94,189. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.6% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $94,189
How long is the typical commute in Chesapeake?
Plan on roughly 26 minutes each way in Chesapeake. Walk Score estimates around 21 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 26 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 21/100
Is Chesapeake safer than similar U.S. cities?
Chesapeake's FBI-derived violent rate (~456.3/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 456.3 per 100k
- Property 2273.5 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Chesapeake?
Chesapeake's climate profile: 90°F summer peaks, 35°F winter mornings, 48.6" annual rainfall, and 365 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 90°F
- Winter low 35°F
- 48.6 in rain · 365 sunny days
Federal-contractor suburbs and Atlantic coastal towns pull different budgets. Roughly 365 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Average one-way commute time is about 26 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 21/100. Labor-market readings near 3.6% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. Violent-offense rates near 456.3 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
About 254,997 people live in Chesapeake, VA. With median income around $94,189 and a cost index of 116, the market reads above the national housing-cost baseline. Entry home prices around $359,100 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Chesapeake is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Chesapeake with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Chesapeake city, 1600000US5116000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Chesapeake city, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013762 FENTRESS NAAS) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10