Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Chesapeake

Affordability in Chesapeake, VA

According to Census ACS 5-Year data (2024), the median monthly rent in Chesapeake is $1,586 and the median household income is $95,373 annually. About 26% of households in the city rent their homes, meaning income-based and HUD-assisted housing serves an important share of residents in a market where rents can strain lower-income budgets.

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Chesapeake Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 346 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Note that crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting practices and local definitions.

Getting Around Chesapeake

According to Walk Score, the areas around assisted properties in Chesapeake score 34 (Car-Dependent) for walkability, 32 (Some Transit) for transit, and 32 for bikeability. Most residents will want access to a car for day-to-day errands and commuting.

Schools

According to the NCES Common Core of Data, 50 public schools across 3 districts serve Chesapeake, including 28 elementary, 10 middle, 8 high schools, and 4 other campuses. Ratings and quality vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for their specific address.

Cost of Living in Chesapeake, VA

The median household income in Chesapeake is $95,373 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates. Affordable and income-based housing in this city serves renters whose earnings fall well below that figure.

The citywide median rent is $1,586 per month, according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates. Rents at HUD-assisted and income-based properties are set by program rules rather than the open market, so qualified renters often pay significantly less than that amount.

• Median household income: $95,373/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Median market rent: $1,586/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Renter households: 26% of occupied housing units (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Affordable units available: 775 across 14 HUD-assisted properties in Chesapeake

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 14 affordable housing properties in Chesapeake have been mapped for flood risk. According to that data, none of the 14 properties fall within a high-risk flood zone, which is a notably low figure for a coastal Virginia city.