CostIndexUSA

Chesapeake, VA vs Erie, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

VA
Chesapeake
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Erie
91
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Erie is moderately cheaper than Chesapeake — 7.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chesapeake, you would need $74,400 in Erie. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing43.1%
Chesapeake
99.8
Erie
56.8
🛒 Groceries+4.0%
Chesapeake
96.8
Erie
100.7
🚗 Transportation0.9%
Chesapeake
103.5
Erie
102.6
🏥 Healthcare1.0%
Chesapeake
93.7
Erie
92.8
Utilities+19.2%
Chesapeake
89.6
Erie
106.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Erie, PA
$74,400
$5,600 less needed in Erie

Formula: salary × (91 ÷ 97.9) = salary × 0.9295. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chesapeake, VA

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

Erie, PA

Median Home Price
$209,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
56.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Chesapeake has 43.1% lower housing costs compared to Erie.

Income & Job Market

Chesapeake, VA

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

Erie, PA

Median Household Income
$60,700
Per Capita Income
$34,600
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
94,831
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationTechnologyRetail

Affordability at a Glance

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

Chesapeake, VA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Erie, PA
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.