City Comparison

Chantilly vs Chesapeake: How they compare

Chantilly offers spacious homes and public schools in western Fairfax County. Chesapeake is a sprawling Hampton Roads city offering spacious homes, public schools, and access to the Great Dismal Swamp. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Chantilly is pricier ($710K median vs $380K), a difference of about $330K. Chantilly moves faster, with homes averaging 19 days on market compared to 22 in Chesapeake. Chesapeake offers a lower entry point at $175K–$1M.

Chantilly

VA

Chesapeake

VA

Median Price

$710K

$380K

Avg Days on Market

19 days

22 days

Price Range

$25K–$2.8M

$175K–$1M

Top Neighborhoods

Sully Station, South Riding, Poplar Tree Estates, Westfields

Great Bridge, Greenbrier, Hickory, Western Branch

Schools

Chantilly has a 85% average SOL pass rate; Chesapeake has 79% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School; in Chesapeake, Grassfield High School and Hickory High School. See Chantilly schools | See Chesapeake schools

Chantilly

VA

Chesapeake

VA

Avg Pass Rate

85%

79%

Public schools

Chantilly High School, Rocky Run Middle School, Greenbriar West Elementary

Grassfield High School, Hickory High School, Oscar F. Smith High School

Pass Rate

85%
79%

Commute

Chesapeake is closer to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Chantilly has 1 Metro station, including Dulles Airport on the Silver line. Major highway access: Chantilly (I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50), Chesapeake (I-64, I-464, I-264).

Chantilly

VA

Chesapeake

VA

Drive to Downtown

~40 min

~20 min

Metro Stations

1 Metro station (nearest: Dulles Airport)

No Metro access

Metro Lines

Silver

N/A

Major Highways

I-66, Rt 28, Rt 50

I-64, I-464, I-264, Rt 168, Rt 17

Commuter Rail

None

None

Walkability

Chantilly is more walkable with a Walk Score of 20 (Almost All Errands Require a Car), compared to 18 in Chesapeake. Transit scores: Chantilly (12) vs Chesapeake (8). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Sully Station and Great Bridge score much higher than suburban areas.

Chantilly

VA

Chesapeake

VA

Walk Score

20Almost All Errands Require a Car
18Almost All Errands Require a Car

Transit Score

12

8

Bike Score

22

22

Safety

Chantilly is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 44% below Virginia average. Chesapeake is rated "Safe" (13% below Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to the Virginia state average. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Chantilly

VA

Chesapeake

VA

Safety Rating

Very Safe
Safe

Violent Crime

0.6/1K

1.2/1K

Property Crime

8.8/1K

13.5/1K

vs Virginia Avg

44% below Virginia average

13% below Virginia average

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chantilly or Chesapeake more affordable?

Chesapeake is more affordable with a median home price of $380K, compared to $710K in Chantilly. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Chantilly prices range from $25K–$2.8M. Chesapeake prices range from $175K–$1M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Chantilly and Chesapeake?

Chantilly public schools have a 85% average SOL pass rate; Chesapeake has 79% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chantilly include Chantilly High School and Rocky Run Middle School; in Chesapeake, Grassfield High School and Hickory High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Chantilly or Chesapeake?

Chesapeake has the shorter commute to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~40 minutes. Chantilly has Metro access (Dulles Airport). Chesapeake has no direct Metro access.

How do Chantilly and Chesapeake compare?

Chantilly offers spacious homes and public schools in western Fairfax County. Chesapeake is a sprawling Hampton Roads city offering spacious homes, public schools, and access to the Great Dismal Swamp. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover can connect you with a verified agent in either city.

Market data verified by smover using real transaction records. School data from Virginia DOE, Maryland MSDE, and DC OSSE public reports. Property tax rates from Virginia Dept. of Taxation (2024). Walkability scores from Walk Score (2024). Crime data from FBI UCR and Virginia State Police (2023). Commute times are approximate rush-hour estimates. Updated June 2026.

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Chantilly vs Chesapeake: Compare Real Estate, Schools, Commute (2026) | smover