Market Overview
Chesapeake is pricier ($380K median vs $355K), a difference of about $25K. Richmond moves faster, with homes averaging 18 days on market compared to 22 in Chesapeake. Richmond offers a lower entry point at $125K–$1.5M.
Chesapeake
VA
Richmond
VA
Median Price
$380K
$355K
Avg Days on Market
22 days
18 days
Price Range
$175K–$1M
$125K–$1.5M
Notable Neighborhoods
Great Bridge, Greenbrier, Hickory, Western Branch
The Fan, Carytown, Church Hill, Scott's Addition
Schools
Chesapeake has a 79% average SOL pass rate; Richmond has 67% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chesapeake include Grassfield High School and Hickory High School; in Richmond, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School. See Chesapeake schools | See Richmond schools
Chesapeake
VA
Richmond
VA
Avg Pass Rate
79%
67%
Public schools
Grassfield High School, Hickory High School, Oscar F. Smith High School
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, Open High School, Thomas Jefferson High School
These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.
Commute
Richmond is closer to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~20 minutes. Neither city has direct Metro access. Major highway access: Chesapeake (I-64, I-464, I-264), Richmond (I-95, I-64, I-195).
Chesapeake
VA
Richmond
VA
Drive to Downtown
~20 min
~10 min
Metro Stations
No Metro access
No Metro access
Metro Lines
N/A
N/A
Major Highways
I-64, I-464, I-264, Rt 168, Rt 17
I-95, I-64, I-195, Rt 1, Rt 301
Commuter Rail
None
None
Walkability
Richmond is more walkable with a Walk Score of 50 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 18 in Chesapeake. Transit scores: Chesapeake (8) vs Richmond (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Great Bridge and The Fan score much higher than suburban areas.
Chesapeake
VA
Richmond
VA
Walk Score
Transit Score
8
28
Bike Score
22
52
Reported Crime Data
The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Chesapeake and Richmond. 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
Richmond
VA
Reported Violent Crime
1.2/1K
5.8/1K
Reported Property Crime
13.5/1K
25.2/1K
VA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chesapeake or Richmond more affordable?
Richmond is more affordable with a median home price of $355K, compared to $380K in Chesapeake. Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Chesapeake prices range from $175K–$1M. Richmond prices range from $125K–$1.5M.
What are the public-school pass rates in Chesapeake and Richmond?
Chesapeake public schools have a 79% average SOL pass rate; Richmond has 67% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Chesapeake include Grassfield High School and Hickory High School; in Richmond, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Open High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.
Which is easier to commute from, Chesapeake or Richmond?
Richmond has the shorter commute to downtown at ~10 minutes vs ~20 minutes. Chesapeake has no direct Metro access. Richmond has no direct Metro access.
How do Chesapeake and Richmond compare?
Chesapeake is a sprawling Hampton Roads city offering spacious homes, public schools, and access to the Great Dismal Swamp. Richmond is Virginia's capital and a city experiencing a major renaissance. 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.