City comparison
No. Chesapeake's crime index is 97 versus 124 in Lincoln, and its violent crime index is 96 versus 114, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,586 in Chesapeake.
The income gap between Lincoln and Chesapeake is significant: $71,867 median household versus $95,373. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,086 in Lincoln and $1,586 in Chesapeake.
Chesapeake is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Lincoln makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Chesapeake is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Lincoln at $1,086 average has pockets that run $886 and others at $1,486: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Lincoln and Chesapeake are 1,129 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,586 a month in Chesapeake, up $500 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $95,373 in Chesapeake, up $23,506 (33%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 97 in Chesapeake, down 27 points (22%).
The move
Chesapeake and Lincoln are 1,129 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,586 a month in Chesapeake to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $500 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $95,373 in Chesapeake to $71,867 in Lincoln, down $23,506 (25%).
The crime index goes from 97 in Chesapeake to 124 in Lincoln, up 27 points (28%).
Lincoln, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Chesapeake, VA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lincoln and Chesapeake? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 32% cheaper than Chesapeake
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Chesapeake
$1,586/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,586 in Chesapeake, so Lincoln is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $500/month back in your pocket ($6,000/year). Over five years that's $30,000 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Chesapeake, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Lincoln is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Chesapeake? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
33% higher
Chesapeake's median income is 33% higher than Lincoln
Lincoln
$71,867
Chesapeake
Winner$95,373
Median household income is $95,373 in Chesapeake versus $71,867 in Lincoln, so typical pay runs 33% higher in Chesapeake (about $23,506 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Chesapeake is the stronger labor market on paper. Lincoln can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
22% lower crime
Chesapeake's crime index is 22% lower than Lincoln
Lincoln
124 (100 = avg)
Chesapeake
Winner97 (100 = avg)
Chesapeake's crime index is 97 versus 124 in Lincoln (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 22% lower in Chesapeake. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Chesapeake is the easier city. Lincoln can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
15% more comfortable
Chesapeake weather is 15% more comfortable than Lincoln
Lincoln
55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Chesapeake
Winner59°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 83/100
Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs); Chesapeake averages about 59°F (66°F highs). Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Chesapeake averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Chesapeake scores 15% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Lincoln if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Lincoln
Lincoln is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% cheaper here at about $1,086 a month. Choose Lincoln if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 33% higher ($95,373), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 59°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Chesapeake is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 22% lower than Lincoln (97 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,086/month in Lincoln versus $1,586 in Chesapeake. Median income reads $71,867 in Lincoln and $95,373 in Chesapeake, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Lincoln rent at $1,086/month is still below Chesapeake's $1,586, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 53/100 in Lincoln and 61/100 in Chesapeake.
Lincoln clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Chesapeake deserves a serious look only when your $95,373 income offer in Chesapeake outweighs saving $500/month in Lincoln.
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