Skyline of Virginia Beach
Cost of Living: 104.2 457,672

Virginia Beach, VA, US

Resort city with 35 miles of beaches, military presence, and East Coast charm.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 104.2

Above Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 112.5

Above Average

Median Income $78,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.2%

Job market health

Virginia Beach vs US Average

Cost of Living
Virginia Beach: 104.2
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Virginia Beach: 112.5
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Virginia Beach: 5.75%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.8%
  • Sales Tax: 6.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $78,000
  • Unemployment: 3.2%
  • Population: 457,672

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 213/year
  • Summer High: 87°F
  • Winter Low: 33°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $340,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1500/mo

Cost of Living

Virginia Beach's cost of living index is 104.2 (US average = 100).

CategoryVirginia BeachNational AverageDifference
Overall104.2100+4.2%
Housing112.5100+12.5%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$340,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,875/mo
Price per Sq Ft$226

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
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$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Virginia Beach:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$110Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$60Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$2Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$60Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$60Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$317Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Virginia Beach scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
104.2
Rent
$1500
Sunny Days
213
Tax
5.75%
Unemployment
3.2%
Climate
87°F / 33°F
Safety
2.9 homicides/100k
Population
457,672
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Virginia Beach has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January53°F33°F2.5"
April72°F48°F2.8"
July87°F62°F1.5"
October67°F51°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Virginia Beach faces the following natural hazards:

Hurricane High Risk

Coastal city affected by hurricanes.

Flood High Risk

Coastal flooding from hurricanes.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Landslide High Risk

Appalachian region with landslides.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Winter storms.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.75%
  • Sales Tax: 6%
  • Property Tax: ~0.92% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Virginia Beach per 100,000 residents:

92.3
Violent Crime
1,639.9
Property Crime
2.9
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

63/100
School Quality Score
Better than 67% of US cities
?
89
Total Schools
7.1:1
Student:Teacher
92.4%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The cost of living index in Virginia Beach is 104.2, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Virginia Beach?

The median home price in Virginia Beach is $340,000. The housing index is 112.5.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Virginia Beach is approximately $1500/mo.

Does Virginia Beach, VA have income tax?

Virginia Beach is in VA, which has an income tax rate of 5.75%.

What is the climate like in Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach enjoys approximately 213 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 87°F, while winter lows can drop to around 33°F.

Relocation Guides

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.