City Comparison

Chesapeake vs McLean: How they compare

Chesapeake is a sprawling Hampton Roads city offering spacious homes, public schools, and access to the Great Dismal Swamp. McLean is synonymous with luxury living in Northern Virginia. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

McLean is pricier ($1.4M median vs $380K), a difference of about $1.0M. McLean moves faster, with homes averaging 18 days on market compared to 22 in Chesapeake. Chesapeake offers a lower entry point at $175K–$1M.

Chesapeake

VA

McLean

VA

Median Price

$380K

$1.4M

Avg Days on Market

22 days

18 days

Price Range

$175K–$1M

$700K–$5M+

Notable Neighborhoods

Great Bridge, Greenbrier, Hickory, Western Branch

Langley Farms, Chain Bridge Forest, Broyhill Langley Estates, McLean Hamlet

Walkability

McLean is more walkable with a Walk Score of 28 (Car-Dependent), compared to 18 in Chesapeake. Transit scores: Chesapeake (8) vs McLean (22). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Great Bridge and Langley Farms score much higher than suburban areas.

Chesapeake

VA

McLean

VA

Walk Score

18Almost All Errands Require a Car
28Car-Dependent

Transit Score

8

22

Bike Score

22

32

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Chesapeake and McLean. 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.

Chesapeake

VA

McLean

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1.2/1K

0.3/1K

Reported Property Crime

13.5/1K

6.5/1K

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chesapeake or McLean more affordable?

Chesapeake is more affordable with a median home price of $380K, compared to $1.4M in McLean. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Chesapeake prices range from $175K–$1M. McLean prices range from $700K–$5M+.

How do Chesapeake and McLean compare?

Chesapeake is a sprawling Hampton Roads city offering spacious homes, public schools, and access to the Great Dismal Swamp. McLean is synonymous with luxury living in Northern Virginia. 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.

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