Living in Chesapeake, Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chesapeake · Census data 2020–2024
Chesapeake has 252,583 residents with a median age of 37.9. The median household income is $95,373 (about the same as the Virginia median), the median home value is $378,400, the median rent is $1,586/month.
Chesapeake at a glance
- Population
- 252,583
- Median age
- 37.9State: 39
- Median household income
- $95,373State: $93,170
- Median home value
- $378,400State: $383,700
- Median rent
- $1,586/moState: $1,579
- Homeowners
- 74.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 36.9%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Chesapeake a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income about the same as the Virginia median; home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes; a poverty rate of 9.4%.
Cons: Unemployment of 4.9%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Chesapeake
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chesapeake the median home value is $378,400, 14% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,586 per month, which is 33.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,142 a month in housing costs.
Chesapeake median household income
The median household income in Chesapeake is $95,373 and the income per person is $44,985. 9.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Virginia: 9.9%).
Housing in Chesapeake: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 96,816
- Owner-occupied
- 74.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 25.6%
- Vacant
- 3.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1989
- Average household size
- 2.65
Chesapeake demographics
- Population
- 252,583
- Median age
- 37.9
- Under 18
- 24.2%
- 65 and older
- 14.6%
- Households
- 93,626
- Foreign-born
- 5.8%
- Veterans
- 15.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chesapeake ›
Education in Chesapeake
36.9% of adults 25 and older in Chesapeake have a bachelor's degree or higher (Virginia: 42.2%), and 14.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Chesapeake
- Unemployment rate
- 4.9%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 13.1%
- Drive alone
- 75.7%
- Public transit
- 0.6%
- Walk to work
- 1%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.6%
Chesapeake vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake | 252,583 | $95,373 | $378,400 | $1,586 |
| Portsmouth | 97,190 | $60,491 | $246,900 | $1,300 |
| Moyock | 5,684 | $115,244 | $405,100 | $1,710 |
| Virginia Beach | 456,349 | $92,968 | $382,500 | $1,714 |
| Norfolk | 233,596 | $66,109 | $289,900 | $1,321 |
| Suffolk | 98,796 | $92,666 | $347,400 | $1,563 |
| Carrollton | 8,436 | $110,956 | $423,900 | $1,789 |
| Sunbury | 251 | $62,902 | — | — |
| Benns Church | 1,813 | $56,151 | $338,800 | — |
More for people moving to Chesapeake
Chesapeake ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Chesapeake: FAQ
What is the median household income in Chesapeake, VA?
The median household income in Chesapeake is $95,373, about the same as the Virginia median of $93,170 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Chesapeake?
The median home value in Chesapeake is $378,400, compared with $383,700 in Virginia.
How much is rent in Chesapeake?
The median gross rent in Chesapeake is $1,586 per month, about 33.8% of household income.
Is Chesapeake, VA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income about the same as the Virginia median; home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes; a poverty rate of 9.4%. Minuses: unemployment of 4.9%.
What is the median age in Chesapeake?
The median age in Chesapeake is 37.9 years (Virginia: 39).
How long is the commute in Chesapeake?
The average commute to work in Chesapeake is 26 minutes; 13.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Chesapeake?
The unemployment rate in Chesapeake is 4.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Chesapeake?
36.9% of adults in Chesapeake have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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