Arlington, VA vs Chesapeake, VA

The cost of living difference between Arlington, VA and Chesapeake, VA is dramatic. Chesapeake is 62.3% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 178 while Chesapeake sits at 110, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month compared to $1,523/month in Chesapeake — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chesapeake is more affordable at $359,100 median vs $864,800.

Median household income in Arlington is $140,160 compared to $94,189 in Chesapeake (+48.8%). The higher salaries in Arlington partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 19.5% of their income on rent, more than the 19.4% in Chesapeake.