Chesapeake vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Chesapeake
Vienna
The Verdict
Living in Vienna costs 18.2% less than Chesapeake. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Chesapeake, you would need $63,462 in Vienna.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Chesapeake has the same purchasing power as $63,462 in Vienna.
Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $88,636 in Chesapeake.
Living in Chesapeake vs Vienna
Housing Costs
Chesapeake's housing index of 120 is higher Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $395,000. The $10,000 difference in home prices means roughly $648 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,550/mo in Chesapeake compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Chesapeake and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Chesapeake vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $972/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 105 in Chesapeake and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Chesapeake vs $392 in Vienna. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Chesapeake and 82 in Vienna. 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 $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,577 and $54,545 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In Chesapeake, median rent of $1,550/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Groceries, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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