CostIndexUSA

Ann Arbor, MI vs Chesapeake, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Ann Arbor
100.9
overall index
$2,050/mo rent
More AffordableVA
Chesapeake
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Chesapeake is slightly cheaper than Ann Arbor — 3.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Ann Arbor, you would need $77,600 in Chesapeake. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing20.4%
Ann Arbor
125.3
Chesapeake
99.8
🛒 Groceries+3.3%
Ann Arbor
93.7
Chesapeake
96.8
🚗 Transportation1.0%
Ann Arbor
104.5
Chesapeake
103.5
🏥 Healthcare1.0%
Ann Arbor
94.6
Chesapeake
93.7
Utilities8.8%
Ann Arbor
98.2
Chesapeake
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Ann Arbor to see what you'd need to earn in Chesapeake to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Chesapeake, VA
$77,600
$2,400 less needed in Chesapeake

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.9703. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Ann Arbor, MI

Median Home Price
$398,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,050
Housing Index
125.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Chesapeake, VA

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
99.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Ann Arbor has 20.4% lower housing costs compared to Chesapeake.

Income & Job Market

Ann Arbor, MI

Median Household Income
$83,800
Per Capita Income
$47,800
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
123,851
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyHealthcareManufacturingResearch

Chesapeake, VA

Median Household Income
$79,300
Per Capita Income
$45,200
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
249,422
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareRetailManufacturingGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Ann Arbor, MI
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Chesapeake, VA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.