Scottsdale vs Chesapeake: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Scottsdale, AZ and Chesapeake, VA, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricScottsdale, AZChesapeake, VA
Population240,537249,377
Median household income$104,197$92,703
Median home value$651,800$339,500
Median rent (/mo)$1,768$1,446

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Scottsdale, AZ and Chesapeake, VA comes down to what you value most. Chesapeake has the lower median home value, and Chesapeake has the lower median rent.

Scottsdale has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Scottsdale or Chesapeake?
By median home value, Chesapeake is the cheaper of the two ($339,500 vs $651,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Scottsdale or Chesapeake?
Median household income is $104,197 in Scottsdale versus $92,703 in Chesapeake, per the US Census Bureau.

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