City Comparison

Chesapeake vs Tyler

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Chesapeake

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

Tyler

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$54,800
Median Income

The Verdict

22.4%

Living in Tyler costs 22.4% less than Chesapeake. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Chesapeake, you would need $61,298 in Tyler.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
120
Chesapeake
69
Tyler
Groceries
102
Chesapeake
96
Tyler
Utilities
105
Chesapeake
97
Tyler
Transportation
100
Chesapeake
92
Tyler
Healthcare
97
Chesapeake
93
Tyler

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Chesapeake has the same purchasing power as $61,298 in Tyler.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $91,765 in Chesapeake.

Living in Chesapeake vs Tyler

Housing Costs

Chesapeake's housing index of 120 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $250,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,550/mo in Chesapeake compared to $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Chesapeake and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Chesapeake vs $456/month in Tyler. Tyler offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 105 in Chesapeake and 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Chesapeake vs $388 in Tyler. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Chesapeake and 93 in Tyler. 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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,577 and $64,471 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In Chesapeake, median rent of $1,550/mo fits within this budget. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tyler is 22.4% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Chesapeake has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,298 in Tyler, based on the cost of living difference.
Chesapeake's housing index is 120 with median homes at $385,000, while Tyler's is 69 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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