Chesapeake 69 Good
Chesapeake Livability #239 ranked city in Virginia#7,832 ranked city in the USARanks better than 73% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Chesapeake

PROS
  • Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Schools

    High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.

  • Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Health & Safety

    Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.

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What's it like Living in Chesapeake?

Chesapeake, Virginia is a highly populated city with a population of 242,647 residents. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Chesapeake is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 26 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Chesapeake could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Virginia if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Chesapeake and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, commute, health & safety, housing and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 68 out of 100, Chesapeake is ranked #7,692 in the United States and #246 in Virginia. If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Chesapeake ranks well for education (A+), employment (A) and housing (A). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Chesapeake. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F).

Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Chesapeake schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 82%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making Chesapeake an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Chesapeake excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Chesapeake real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Chesapeake. The median home price for Chesapeake homes is $286,000, which is 15.1% higher than the Virginia average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Chesapeake, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.5, which is 7.9% lower than the Virginia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Chesapeake

See all the best places to live around Chesapeake

How Do You Rate The Livability In Chesapeake?

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Compare Chesapeake, VA Livability

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      Chesapeake transportation information

      Statistic Chesapeake Virginia National
      Average one way commute26min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work82.2%77.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.7%9.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.8%4.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home5.7%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Chesapeake, VA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).