City Comparison

Chesapeake vs Las Vegas

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Chesapeake

Virginia
104
Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,550/mo
Median Rent
$94,200
Median Income

Las Vegas

Nevada
101
Average
$350,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$56,415
Median Income

The Verdict

3.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 3.0%, with Las Vegas being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Chesapeake has equivalent purchasing power to $72,837 in Las Vegas.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
120
Chesapeake
106
Las Vegas
Groceries
102
Chesapeake
101
Las Vegas
Utilities
105
Chesapeake
94
Las Vegas
Transportation
100
Chesapeake
107
Las Vegas
Healthcare
97
Chesapeake
96
Las Vegas

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Chesapeake has the same purchasing power as $72,837 in Las Vegas.

Conversely, $75,000 in Las Vegas equals $77,228 in Chesapeake.

Living in Chesapeake vs Las Vegas

Housing Costs

Chesapeake's housing index of 120 is higher Las Vegas's 106, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $350,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,550/mo in Chesapeake compared to $1,400/mo in Las Vegas, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Chesapeake and 101 in Las Vegas. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Chesapeake vs $480/month in Las Vegas. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 105 in Chesapeake and 94 in Las Vegas. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Chesapeake vs $376 in Las Vegas. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Chesapeake and 96 in Las Vegas. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $94,200 in Chesapeake and $56,415 in Las Vegas. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,577 and $55,856 respectively. Chesapeake residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,198/month to housing in Chesapeake vs $1,316/month in Las Vegas. In Chesapeake, median rent of $1,550/mo fits within this budget. In Las Vegas, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Las Vegas is 3.0% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Chesapeake has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,837 in Las Vegas, based on the cost of living difference.
Chesapeake's housing index is 120 with median homes at $385,000, while Las Vegas's is 106 with median homes at $350,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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