City Comparison

Chesapeake vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Chesapeake

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

19.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 19.5%, with Springdale being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Chesapeake has equivalent purchasing power to $62,740 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
120
Chesapeake
86
Springdale
Groceries
102
Chesapeake
97
Springdale
Utilities
105
Chesapeake
93
Springdale
Transportation
100
Chesapeake
91
Springdale
Healthcare
97
Chesapeake
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Chesapeake has the same purchasing power as $62,740 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $89,655 in Chesapeake.

Living in Chesapeake vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Chesapeake's housing index of 120 is higher Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $299,000. The $86,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,592 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,550/mo in Chesapeake compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Chesapeake and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Chesapeake vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Chesapeake vs $372 in Springdale. 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 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $94,200 in Chesapeake and $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,577 and $71,379 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Chesapeake, median rent of $1,550/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 19.5% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Chesapeake has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,740 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Chesapeake's housing index is 120 with median homes at $385,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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