Cost of Living: Chesapeake, VA vs Paterson, NJ (2026)

Chesapeake

Virginia
112
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Chesapeake is 6% more expensive than Paterson.

$1,523/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↓ 4%
$94,189/yr ↑ 75%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 43%
$359,100 ↑ 7%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 7%
$1,680/mo ↑ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 8%
251,153
Population
157,660

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
10.75%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
0.8%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

19.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chesapeake, VA and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 112 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $66/month cheaper in Paterson, saving renters about $792/year.

Median household income is $40,423/year higher in Chesapeake. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chesapeake is $359,100 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Chesapeake slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chesapeake vs Paterson — common questions

Is Chesapeake or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 112 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chesapeake and Paterson?
Median rent in Chesapeake is $1,523/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $66/month.
Which city has higher income, Chesapeake or Paterson?
Median household income is $94,189 in Chesapeake and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $40,423/year higher in Chesapeake.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and New Jersey?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Chesapeake or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Chesapeake has a cost index of 112 with median rent of $1,523/mo, while Paterson has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,457/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Chesapeake details → View Paterson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Chesapeake and Paterson

Chesapeake vs. Irving Chesapeake vs. Winston-Salem Chesapeake vs. Laredo Chesapeake vs. Glendale Chesapeake vs. St. Petersburg Chesapeake vs. Garland Paterson vs. Corona Paterson vs. Murfreesboro Paterson vs. Hayward Paterson vs. Alexandria Paterson vs. Salinas Paterson vs. Macon