Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $54,000 in Virginia Beach.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Virginia Beach?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Virginia Beach under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Virginia Beach Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Virginia Beach

Virginia

$1,550/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,550 in Virginia Beach, VA. Overall, Virginia Beach, VA is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $90,685 in Virginia Beach, VA — about 13% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Virginia Beach, VA

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$1,496

+21% in Virginia Beach, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$1,357

+15% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,559

+16% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,857

+17% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$366,300

+28% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$90,685

+13% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$49,430

+16% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

37.4 yr

+3.5 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

64.9%

+5.1 pp in Virginia Beach, VA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

40.4%

+13.3 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

23.2 min

+5.5 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

96.9

+88% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

1,664.9

+21% in Annapolis, MD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

59.9°F

+2.8°F in Virginia Beach, VA

Annual Precipitation

—

44.3 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs HRT (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

17.6

+19% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$23.66

+25% in Virginia Beach, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — South vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / VA)

5.3%

+0.7 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.75%

+0.8 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Virginia Beach — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Virginia Beach?: Virginia Beach, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,550 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Virginia Beach?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $54,000 in Virginia Beach.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Virginia Beach?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Virginia Beach under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).