Boston, MA, and Chesapeake, VA, are two vibrant U.S cities with unique attributes. Boston, known for its rich history, is a bustling hub of education, medicine, finance, and tech businesses. Chesapeake, on the other hand, provides a more suburban experience, brimming with natural beauty and charm. While Boston offers a faster-paced lifestyle, Chesapeake appeals to those looking for a laid-back, quieter life.
Distance between
Boston, MA and
Chesapeake, VA : 473.0 miles
Boston's population is larger by 161%. Its population has grown by 65,635 people (11.1%) since 2000. The population of Chesapeake has grown by 52,085 people (26.1%) during that time.
Safety is a priority for residents and tourists alike. In comparison, Boston has a higher crime rate than Chesapeake. The high foot traffic downtown, especially in tourist areas, might account for this. However, Boston Police is proactive and highly responsive. Chesapeake has a lower crime rate, likely due to its smaller population and less urban environment. Community involvement in safety is also high in Chesapeake.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 331 registered sex offenders living in Boston and 498 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Boston is 2,033 to 1; the ratio in Chesapeake is 474 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a lot smaller in Boston than in Chesapeake.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Boston is markedly higher than in Chesapeake. Housing costs, in particular, are much higher in Boston due to its high demand and shortage of supply. On the other hand, Chesapeake has a lower cost of living, with more affordable housing, which might appeal to families and retirees.
Income Tax
Residents in Boston face a flat state income tax of 5% in Massachusetts. In contrast, Virginia has a progressive income tax ranging from 2% to 5.75%, so Chesapeake may have a lower income tax.
Property Tax
Property taxes are lower in Boston than in Chesapeake. The median property tax in Boston is about 0.87% while in Chesapeake it's about 0.99%. This means homeowners in Chesapeake may pay more in property taxes.
Sales Tax
There is a 6.25% sales tax in Boston, which is higher than Chesapeake's 5.3% state and city sales tax. This might impact the cost of shopping and dining out in each city.
Income
Type
Boston
Chesapeake
Estimated median household income
$79,283
$88,815
Estimated per capita income
$50,337
$39,875
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
143.8
96.1
If you make $50,000 in Chesapeake, you will have to make $74,818 in Boston to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Geographically, Boston is a coastal city like Chesapeake, but it's situated in the North and experiences the colder Atlantic Ocean. Chesapeake lies on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and has a more temperate climate, with milder winters and hot summers.
Boston is renowned for its educational institutions, being home to numerous prestigious colleges like Harvard and MIT. The city's commitment to education is reflected in its top-rated public school system. Chesapeake has good public and private schools, and nearby Norfolk and Virginia Beach offer additional higher education options, but it does not have the same level of educational prestige as Boston.
Economically, Boston is robust with strong sectors in tech, medicine, finance, and education. The job market is competitive but offers high wages. In Chesapeake, the economy is more focused on public administration, retail trade, and health care. Overall, job opportunities may be less diverse and lower-paying than in Boston.
Biggest Employers
In Boston, the biggest employers are the State of Massachusetts, Partners Healthcare, and Boston University. While in Chesapeake, the public school system, City of Chesapeake, and Chesapeake Regional Medical Center are the largest employers.
There were 53 building permits issued in Boston in 2012 (20 more than in 2011) compared to 942 building permits issued in Chesapeake in 2012 (289 more than in 2011).
In Boston (Suffolk County), 77.4% voted for Democrats and 20.8% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Chesapeake (Chesapeake city), 50.1% voted for Democrats and 49.1% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Boston
Chesapeake
Boston
Chesapeake
Boston
Chesapeake
2020
80.6%
52.2%
17.5%
45.8%
1.9%
2.0%
2016
78.5%
46.7%
16.1%
48.0%
5.4%
5.3%
2012
77.4%
50.1%
20.8%
49.1%
1.8%
0.8%
2008
76.9%
50.5%
21.2%
49.2%
1.8%
0.3%
2004
75.9%
42.4%
22.8%
57.3%
1.3%
0.3%
2000
71.5%
45.2%
20.5%
53.4%
8.0%
1.4%
1996
73.0%
45.8%
19.9%
46.7%
7.0%
7.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Boston
Chesapeake
Boston
Chesapeake
CATHOLIC CHURCH
46.1%
5.9%
12.4%
2.5%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.2%
0.0%
8.9%
0.5%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.1%
1.5%
2.4%
0.5%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.0%
0.4%
4.7%
1.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.7%
0.2%
4.0%
2.5%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.6%
10.7%
6.9%
19.1%
Weather
In terms of weather, Boston experiences all four seasons, with cold winters and hot, humid summers. Winters can be severe with heavy snowfall. Chesapeake also experiences all four seasons, but winters are milder, and summers can be extremely hot and humid. The moderate coastal weather in Chesapeake is ideal for outdoor activities like fishing and boating.
Weather and climate
Type
Boston
Chesapeake
Temperature - Average
50.6°F
59.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
69.9%
73%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
23.1%
32%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
78%
83%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
55%
51%
Precipitation - Yearly average
46.3 in
48.1 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
88.3 in
15.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
16.4%
17.6%
Sunshine amount - Average
63.7%
66.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
14%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
68%
67%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
48%
53%
Wind speed - Average
12.5 mph
10.4 mph
Average climate in Boston, Massachusetts
Average climate in Chesapeake, Virginia
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM25
SO2
Year
Boston
Chesapeake
Boston
Chesapeake
Boston
Chesapeake
Boston
Chesapeake
Chesapeake
Boston
Chesapeake
Boston
Chesapeake
2018
76
57
0.24
0.29
12.3
6.7
26.1
30.8
0.002
N/A
9.2
6.1
0.5
0.3
2017
83
60
0.26
0.23
12.5
7.3
26.4
32.9
0.002
N/A
8.9
6.9
0.6
0.3
2016
75
66
0.27
0.22
14.1
7.0
24.4
31.3
0.002
N/A
7.4
6.1
0.5
0.3
2015
81
57
0.30
0.27
15.7
7.8
23.4
33.4
0.002
N/A
8.9
6.4
0.8
0.5
2014
76
59
0.30
0.28
14.0
8.0
24.5
33.4
0.002
N/A
9.3
6.8
1.2
1.2
2013
86
66
0.30
0.28
13.5
7.5
26.2
30.8
0.002
N/A
9.8
6.8
1.3
1.2
2012
89
76
0.29
0.29
11.8
8.2
23.5
34.1
0.002
N/A
9.5
8.1
1.4
1.1
2011
87
66
0.30
0.27
14.8
9.9
24.2
34.7
0.003
N/A
10.5
8.8
1.6
1.7
2010
92
71
0.26
0.24
13.8
4.8
25.0
38.1
0.004
N/A
10.0
N/A
2.3
2.2
2009
86
51
0.32
0.25
15.3
9.7
23.5
31.5
0.012
N/A
9.7
N/A
2.4
2.7
2008
96
77
0.26
0.24
16.6
10.3
22.9
36.2
0.004
N/A
12.4
N/A
3.8
3.4
2007
124
81
0.28
0.17
18.5
12.2
19.9
36.6
0.004
N/A
13.9
N/A
4.0
4.5
2006
103
62
0.38
0.33
15.8
N/A
20.9
36.8
0.004
N/A
12.5
N/A
3.5
3.4
2005
115
67
0.28
0.28
17.0
N/A
22.1
35.7
N/A
N/A
12.7
N/A
4.3
3.4
2004
104
80
0.26
0.29
15.6
15.9
22.5
33.6
N/A
N/A
13.7
N/A
4.6
4.3
2003
116
84
0.55
0.34
20.1
16.2
22.4
34.6
N/A
N/A
14.5
N/A
5.2
4.0
2002
130
99
0.35
0.40
19.8
17.8
21.8
38.2
N/A
N/A
13.5
N/A
5.0
6.1
2001
112
92
0.44
0.42
19.9
18.2
20.7
36.6
N/A
N/A
13.6
N/A
5.9
6.1
2000
88
85
0.57
0.44
18.8
15.7
19.2
36.9
N/A
N/A
10.0
N/A
5.6
6.6
Natural disasters
Type
Boston
Chesapeake
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
55.3%
72.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
26.6%
36.3%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
33%
0%
Transportation
Regarding transportation, Boston's MBTA operates an extensive network of subway, bus, and commuter rail. On the other hand, Chesapeake has a less developed public transport system, but traffic is typically less intense, and parking is easier than in Boston.
Transport
Type
Boston
Chesapeake
Amtrak stations
3
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
224
168
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
4
3
Means of transportation to work
Type
Boston
Chesapeake
Bicycle
1.7%
0.1%
Bus
7.1%
0.3%
Carpooled
6.8%
9.9%
Car alone
54.7%
86.3%
Ferryboat
0.2%
0%
Railroad
0.5%
0%
Streetcar
13.5%
0%
Subway
3.2%
0%
Taxicab
0.4%
0.1%
Walked
10%
2.5%
Average travel time to work
Type
Boston
Chesapeake
Average
38.6 min
24.7 min
Other means
26.1 min
24.8 min
Public transportation
38.6 min
42 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Boston
Chesapeake
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
87.1%
90.8%
In 2 person carpool
10.1%
7.5%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
1.2%
In 4 person carpool
0.4%
0.4%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.2%
0.1%
In 7+ person carpool
0.5%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Boston's real estate market is robust, with high demand and prices, especially in downtown and historic areas. In contrast, Chesapeake's real estate market is more affordable, with prices considerably lower than Boston.
Neighborhoods
Boston is known for its unique neighborhoods from the Italian North End to the historic Beacon Hill or the trendy Back Bay. Chesapeake, on the other hand, offers more suburban neighbourhoods, each with a distinct character and generally quieter than Boston's neighborhoods.
Houses and residents
Type
Boston
Chesapeake
Houses
307,025
96,040
Average household size (people)
2.3
2.8
Median year apartment built
1957
1985
Length of stay in the house since moving in
14.6 years
12.2 years
Houses occupied
271,941 (88.6%)
93,849 (97.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
94,497 (34.7%)
69,186 (73.7%)
Houses occupied by renters
177,444 (65.3%)
24,663 (26.3%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$2,632
$1,502
Median monthly housing costs
$1,883
$1,483
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,040,328
$319,618
Estimated median house or condo value
$659,700
$320,600
Median numbers of rooms
4.3
6.7
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.9
4.4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.4
7.5
Median house price - detached houses
$683,896
$345,910
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$639,493
$123,576
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$745,440
$136,311
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$986,433
$134,590
Median house price - mobile homes
$117,668
$35,812
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
Over $1,000,000
$274,340
Median house price - All housing units
$793,380
$330,444
Median house age
73
33
Renting percentage
66.1%
27%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
6,340.1
281.9
House value disparities
23.5%
27.1%
Household income disparities
48.2%
41%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$138,364
$115,958
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$97,179
$71,224
Housing units without a mortgage
1,250 (1.8%)
1,697 (3.1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
7,686 (11.2%)
4,439 (8.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
67,144 (98.2%)
52,330 (96.9%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
218 (0.3%)
61 (0.1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
9,540 (13.9%)
5,413 (10%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
12
9
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
3
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.4%
1.2%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Boston
Chesapeake
One, detached
12.0%
69.6%
One, attached
6.4%
10.4%
Two
11.9%
2.3%
3 or 4
24.1%
2.9%
5 to 9
11.2%
4.6%
10 to 19
7.2%
3.6%
20 to 49
8.0%
2.5%
50 or more
19.0%
2.7%
Mobile homes
0.1%
1.4%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
11,605
5,430
State government workers
12,810
3,079
Unpaid family workers
303
728
Industries and Occupations
Boston's leading industries are education, health care, tech, finance, and research. IT and health care professionals, teachers, and financial experts will find ample opportunities here. In Chesapeake, the leading industries are retail trade, health care, and public administration.
Both cities offer excellent healthcare systems. Boston is a medical hub with world-renowned hospitals like Massachusetts General and Boston Children's Hospital. Chesapeake also provides quality healthcare services, with a top-rated hospital in Chesapeake Regional Medical Center but doesn't match the range of specialized medical services offered in Boston.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Boston
Chesapeake
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
In terms of infrastructure, Boston has old yet well-maintained structures, an extensive subway system, and several major highways and bridges. Chesapeake does not have the same level of infrastructure, but its road system is well-maintained, and the city is making investments to improve its public transportation.
Infrastructure
Type
Boston
Chesapeake
Hospitals
22
5
TV stations
22
25
Bank branches located here
146
50
Bank institutions located here
37
15
Main business address for public companies
60
2
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
2
3
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Boston
Chesapeake
1999
1,237
0
2000
1,140
0
2001
947
0
2002
975
0
2003
1,536
461
2004
2,273
749
2005
3,225
820
2006
3,567
834
2007
2,652
561
2008
1,372
171
2009
910
75
Culture and Food
Boston offers a wealth of cultural activities, with numerous museums, art galleries, theatres, and a rich history. The city is renowned for its seafood, particularly clam chowder and lobster rolls. Chesapeake, however, offers a more laid-back cultural scene and a range of food options, with a focus on southern cuisine and seafood.
Sports Teams
Boston is famed for its sports teams, including the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins. Chesapeake has no professional sports teams but is within close proximity to the teams of Virginia Beach and Norfolk.
Boston, MA
Chesapeake, VA
Boston, MA and 
Chesapeake, VA : 473.0 miles
