Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Chesapeake, VA (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Chesapeake

Virginia
112

San Francisco is 138% more expensive than Chesapeake.

$2,419/mo ↑ 59%
Median Rent
$1,523/mo ↓ 37%
$141,446/yr ↑ 50%
Median Income
$94,189/yr ↓ 33%
$1,380,500 ↑ 284%
Home Value
$359,100 ↓ 74%
$2,620/mo ↑ 56%
Owner Costs
$1,680/mo ↓ 36%
836,321
Population
251,153

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.75%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Chesapeake, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 112 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $896/month cheaper in Chesapeake, saving renters about $10,752/year.

Median household income is $47,257/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $359,100 in Chesapeake.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Chesapeake — common questions

Is San Francisco or Chesapeake cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Chesapeake is cheaper to live in with an index of 112 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Chesapeake?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Chesapeake it's $1,523/month — a difference of $896/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Chesapeake?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $94,189 in Chesapeake. Median household income is $47,257/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and Virginia?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Chesapeake?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Chesapeake details →

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