Chesapeake

A nearby pier in the evening
Beach near Chesapeake

Chesapeake, VA Area Guide

Norfolk suburb is full of natural amenities and serenity.

Relaxed Affordable Convenient Suburban Family-friendly Nature

Chesapeake, spanning 351 square miles in Hampton Roads, combines suburban living with natural surroundings. The city features diverse housing options from waterfront properties along the Elizabeth River to established neighborhoods in Great Bridge and Western Branch. Current rental data shows one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,607, while two-bedroom rentals average $1,737 monthly. The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge stands as a centerpiece for outdoor recreation, offering miles of trails for hiking and wildlife observation. Residents enjoy convenient access to Virginia Beach's shoreline and Norfolk's downtown, while established areas like Greenbrier and Deep Creek maintain their own neighborhood character.

The Battle of Great Bridge site preserves the city's Revolutionary War heritage, while modern Chesapeake thrives as an economic center, home to Dollar Tree's corporate headquarters and Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. The city features outdoor spaces like the Chesapeake Arboretum and access to the Intracoastal Waterway. With a population approaching 250,000, Chesapeake maintains its community atmosphere while offering convenient access to shopping, dining, and recreation throughout Hampton Roads.

Explore the City

A nearby pier in the evening

Beach near Chesapeake

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Chesapeake, VA is $1,831 for a studio, $1,709 for one bedroom, $1,795 for two bedrooms, and $2,247 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Chesapeake has increased by 4.8% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,709/month
776 Sq Ft
House
$2,534/month
1,398 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,662/month
1,118 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,957/month
1,047 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Chesapeake, VA

Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Chesapeake, VA is for everyday living.

Car-Dependent

37 / 100

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

Minimal Transit

22 / 100

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

Somewhat Bikeable

39 / 100

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Southwestern Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

Cedar Road Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

Oscar Smith Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

Jolliff Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

Deep Creek Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

Great Bridge Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

Hickory Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

Hickory High

Public

Grades 9-12

Grassfield High

Public

Grades 9-12

Great Bridge High

Public

Grades 9-12

Western Branch High

Public

Grades 9-12

Deep Creek High

Public

Grades 9-12

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Chesapeake Planetarium
  • Chesapeake Arboretum
  • Stumpy Lake
  • Nauticus
  • Children's Museum of Virginia

Commuter Rail

Airports

  • Norfolk International
  • Newport News/Williamsburg International

Top Apartments in Chesapeake

Houses for Rent in Chesapeake

Property Management Companies in Chesapeake, VA

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.