Market Overview
Charlottesville is pricier ($400K median vs $380K), a difference of about $20K. Both cities average 22 days on market. Chesapeake offers a lower entry point at $175K–$1M.
Charlottesville
VA
Chesapeake
VA
Median Price
$400K
$380K
Avg Days on Market
22 days
22 days
Price Range
$175K–$2M
$175K–$1M
Notable Neighborhoods
Downtown Mall, Belmont, North Downtown, Barracks Road
Great Bridge, Greenbrier, Hickory, Western Branch
Schools
Charlottesville has a 80% average SOL pass rate; Chesapeake has 79% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Charlottesville include Charlottesville High School and Buford Middle School; in Chesapeake, Grassfield High School and Hickory High School. See Charlottesville schools | See Chesapeake schools
Charlottesville
VA
Chesapeake
VA
Avg Pass Rate
80%
79%
Public schools
Charlottesville High School, Buford Middle School, Jackson-Via Elementary
Grassfield High School, Hickory High School, Oscar F. Smith High School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Charlottesville is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~20 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Charlottesville (I-64, Rt 29, Rt 250), Chesapeake (I-64, I-464, I-264).
Charlottesville
VA
Chesapeake
VA
Drive to Downtown
~10 min
~20 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
No Metro access
Metro Lines
N/A
N/A
Major Highways
I-64, Rt 29, Rt 250
I-64, I-464, I-264, Rt 168, Rt 17
Commuter Rail
None
None
Walkability
Charlottesville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 48 (Car-Dependent), compared to 18 in Chesapeake. Transit scores: Charlottesville (18) vs Chesapeake (8). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Downtown Mall and Great Bridge score much higher than suburban areas.
Charlottesville
VA
Chesapeake
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
18
8
Bike Score
58
22
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Charlottesville and Chesapeake. These historical figures do not describe a specific address or predict an individual's experience. Review the source period and local agency information for current context.
Charlottesville
VA
Chesapeake
VA
Reported Violent Crime
2.5/1K
1.2/1K
Reported Property Crime
19.8/1K
13.5/1K
VA
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Related Comparisons
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlottesville or Chesapeake more affordable?
Chesapeake is more affordable with a median home price of $380K, compared to $400K in Charlottesville. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Charlottesville prices range from $175K–$2M. Chesapeake prices range from $175K–$1M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Charlottesville and Chesapeake?
Charlottesville public schools have a 80% average SOL pass rate; Chesapeake has 79% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Charlottesville include Charlottesville High School and Buford 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, Charlottesville or Chesapeake?
Charlottesville has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~20 minutes. Charlottesville has no direct Metro access. Chesapeake has no direct Metro access.
How do Charlottesville and Chesapeake compare?
Charlottesville is a college town centered around the University of Virginia, with a walkable downtown, vibrant arts scene, and proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Virginia wine country. 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 lets you compare agent profiles and available transaction records 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 September 2026.