salaryChesapeake is the 2nd-largest city in Virginia that we track, with 252,583 residents. Rent is higher than in 60% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.7 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $73,960 a year. That is $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Virginia cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Virginia. It is number 78 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Chesapeake with other big cities
Compare Chesapeake to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Chesapeake?
Share of households by yearly income. 37.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Chesapeake
| Size | Chesapeake | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,336 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,548 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,567 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,816 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,402 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Chesapeake overall?
Everyday prices in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 97.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Chesapeake
Life in Chesapeake
What jobs pay in Chesapeake
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,280 | 16.3% |
| Lawyer | $133,380 | 16.6% |
| Software Developer | $129,090 | 17.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $126,430 | 17.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,530 | 17.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,760 | 21.4% |
| Operations Manager | $100,340 | 22.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,890 | 22.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,680 | 23.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $89,450 | 24.8% |
| Accountant | $79,450 | 27.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $69,560 | 31.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,370 | 34.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,380 | 35.0% |
| Electrician | $62,350 | 35.6% |
| Plumber | $61,870 | 35.9% |
| Police Officer | $59,690 | 37.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,470 | 37.3% |
| Firefighter | $56,940 | 39.0% |
| Carpenter | $51,500 | 43.1% |
| Truck Driver | $50,460 | 44.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,620 | 50.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,160 | 56.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $39,020 | 56.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,990 | 56.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,150 | 58.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,280 | 61.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,820 | 72.0% |
| Cashier | $29,320 | 75.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Chesapeake?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $777 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $378,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $37,840 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Chesapeake, VA?
Renting in Chesapeake costs a median of about $1,849 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Chesapeake?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $73,960 a year, or $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Chesapeake cheap or expensive?
Chesapeake is rated OK: rent takes 21.6% of the typical household income of $102,860. It ranks 78th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Chesapeake?
The median homeowner in Chesapeake pays $3,108 a year in property taxes, about 0.82% of the median home value.
Is Chesapeake more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Chesapeake?
The median home value in Chesapeake is $378,400, about 3.7 times the typical yearly household income.
252,583 people live in Chesapeake. Numbers are typical (middle) values.