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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Chesapeake

Virginia
112

Houston is 21% cheaper than Chesapeake.

$1,313/mo ↓ 14%
Median Rent
$1,523/mo ↑ 16%
$62,894/yr ↓ 33%
Median Income
$94,189/yr ↑ 50%
$253,400 ↓ 29%
Home Value
$359,100 ↑ 42%
$1,316/mo ↓ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,680/mo ↑ 28%
2,300,419
Population
251,153

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Chesapeake, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 112 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $210/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $2,520/year.

Median household income is $31,295/year higher in Chesapeake. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $359,100 in Chesapeake.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Chesapeake — common questions

Is Houston or Chesapeake cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 112 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Chesapeake?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Chesapeake it's $1,523/month — a difference of $210/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Chesapeake?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $94,189 in Chesapeake. Median household income is $31,295/year higher in Chesapeake.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Virginia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Chesapeake?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Chesapeake has a cost index of 112 with rent of $1,523/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Chesapeake details →

More Comparisons

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