Is Virginia Beach expensive to live in?

Virginia Beach is on the pricier side of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,357 per month ranks #17 of 50 and is 11% higher than the $1,223 median.

What is the average rent in Virginia Beach?

Average rent in Virginia Beach, VA runs a studio around $1,496, a one-bedroom around $1,357, a two-bedroom around $1,559, a three-bedroom around $1,857 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Virginia Beach?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,357 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $54,000 a year. The median household income here is $90,685.

How much does it cost to live in Virginia Beach per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Virginia Beach is about $1,540 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

A view of a city at sunset from a tall building — Virginia Beach, VA

Cost of Living in Virginia Beach, VA

Population 459,470 · Virginia

~$1,540/mo est.1BR $1,357Home $366,300

Photo: Nathaniel Villaire / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Virginia Beach, VA is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,357 a month — 11% higher than the $1,223 median across the 50 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,496 and two-bedrooms $1,559.

Median household income here is $90,685, 19% higher than the $75,900 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,540 before food and transport. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,357

Studio

$1,496

1 Bedroom

$1,357

2 Bedroom

$1,559

3 Bedroom

$1,857

Buying a Home$366,300

Median Home Value

$366,300

Income$90,685

Median Household Income

$90,685

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,430

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesSouth

Milk (gal)

$4.16

Bread (lb)

$1.73

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-04-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities17.1¢/kWh

Electricity

17.1¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$18.75/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-03-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$4.30/gal

Regular Gasoline (East Coast (PADD 1))

$4.30/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-05-25.

Public Transit$2.00

Base Fare (HRT)

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare on the primary agency (2026).

State Taxes (VA)5.3% sales

State Sales Tax

5.30%

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 5.75%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime96.7 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

96.7

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

1,664.3

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Virginia Beach Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 37.4 yrs

Median Age

37.4 yrs

Homeownership

64.9%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

40.4%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Climate59.9°F

Avg Annual Temperature

59.9°F

Annual Precipitation

44.3 in

Virginia Beach cost of living — FAQ

Is Virginia Beach expensive to live in?: Virginia Beach is on the pricier side of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,357 per month ranks #17 of 50 and is 11% higher than the $1,223 median.
What is the average rent in Virginia Beach?: Average rent in Virginia Beach, VA runs a studio around $1,496, a one-bedroom around $1,357, a two-bedroom around $1,559, a three-bedroom around $1,857 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Virginia Beach?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,357 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $54,000 a year. The median household income here is $90,685.
How much does it cost to live in Virginia Beach per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Virginia Beach is about $1,540 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Virginia Beach with nearby cities

Virginia Beach vs Washington Virginia Beach vs Raleigh Virginia Beach vs Baltimore Virginia Beach vs Philadelphia Virginia Beach vs New York City Virginia Beach vs Charlotte

Nearby cities

Washington, DC 153 mi Raleigh, NC 166 mi Baltimore, MD 172 mi Philadelphia, PA 219 mi New York City, NY 287 mi Charlotte, NC 294 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.