Cost of Living: Chesapeake, VA vs College Station, TX (2026)

Chesapeake

Virginia
112
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Chesapeake is 23% more expensive than College Station.

$1,523/mo ↑ 30%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↓ 23%
$94,189/yr ↑ 82%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 45%
$359,100 ↑ 10%
Home Value
$326,500 ↓ 9%
$1,680/mo ↑ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 26%
251,153
Population
122,280

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
0%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

19.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chesapeake, VA and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 112 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $355/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $4,260/year.

Median household income is $42,413/year higher in Chesapeake. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chesapeake is $359,100 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

Texas has no state income tax, giving College Station residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chesapeake vs College Station — common questions

Is Chesapeake or College Station cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, College Station is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 112 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chesapeake and College Station?
Median rent in Chesapeake is $1,523/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $355/month.
Which city has higher income, Chesapeake or College Station?
Median household income is $94,189 in Chesapeake and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $42,413/year higher in Chesapeake.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Texas?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Chesapeake or College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Chesapeake has a cost index of 112 with median rent of $1,523/mo, while College Station has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,168/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Chesapeake details → View College Station details →

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