Cost of Living in Virginia Beach, VA

Population 457,066 · Virginia · Data vintage 2023

122
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Virginia Beach cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $366,000, rents near $1,649 a month.

Cost Overview

Housing 120
Rent 125

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Virginia Beach

The median home value in Virginia Beach is $366,300 — 20% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,649/month, 25% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $90,685/year is 22% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. Virginia's top state income tax rate is 5.8% and the combined sales tax is 5.6%. The climate averages highs of 69.0°F and lows of 50.5°F, with about 3.4" of annual snowfall. Overall, Virginia Beach has a cost of living index of 122 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 22% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$366,300
20% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$418,508
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,649/mo
25% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,952/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$970
1 BR
$989
2 BR
$1,200
3 BR
$1,645
4 BR
$1,885
Owner-occupied 64.9%
Renter-occupied 35.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,649
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,263/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
25.1 min
7% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.3%
Carpooled
7.5%
Public transit
0.8%
Walked
1.8%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
12.7%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.8%
Total Sales Tax 5.6%
State rate 4.3%
Avg local rate 1.3%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$90,685
22% above avg
Per Capita Income
$47,372
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
11% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Labor Force Participation
69.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.0%
Graduate degree 15.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.4
Male median age 36
Female median age 39

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
69.0°F
Avg Low
50.5°F
Annual Precip
46.6"
Annual Snowfall
3.4"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 505359697683878580716154
Low °F 323339485666706964534235
Precip" 3.172.843.573.373.654.155.765.094.554.153.063.26
Snow" 2.20.80.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
67.6%
Good air days/yr
167
Max AQI recorded
364
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
87
Public schools
68,706
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Virginia Beach, VA?

Virginia Beach has a cost index of 122 (100 = national average). It is 22% above the national average.

What is average rent in Virginia Beach, VA?

The median gross rent in Virginia Beach is $1,649 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Virginia Beach?

The median home value in Virginia Beach is $366,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Virginia Beach?

The median household income in Virginia Beach is $90,685 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Virginia Beach, VA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Virginia Beach is 5.6%. The Virginia state income tax top rate is 5.8%.

Is Virginia Beach, VA affordable?

Virginia Beach is above average in cost of living, with an index of 122 — about 22% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has average high temperatures of 69.0°F and average lows of 50.5°F. Annual precipitation is 46.6". Average annual snowfall is 3.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.