Living Cost Compare
Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

$1,400/mo est.

vs
Virginia Beach

Virginia

$1,540/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,400 in Philadelphia, PA versus $1,540 in Virginia Beach, VA. Overall, Philadelphia, PA is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Virginia Beach, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $60,698 in Philadelphia, PA and $90,685 in Virginia Beach, VA — about 33% higher in Virginia Beach, VA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Philadelphia, PA
Virginia Beach, VA

Rent

Studio
$1,126
$1,496
+33% in Virginia Beach, VA
1 Bedroom
$1,189
$1,357
+14% in Virginia Beach, VA
2 Bedroom
$1,394
$1,559
+12% in Virginia Beach, VA
3 Bedroom
$1,406
$1,857
+32% in Virginia Beach, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$232,400
$366,300
+58% in Virginia Beach, VA

Income

Median Household Income
$60,698
$90,685
+49% in Virginia Beach, VA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$54,310
$49,430
+9% in Philadelphia, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.1 yr
37.4 yr
+2.3 yr in Virginia Beach, VA
Homeownership
52.3%
64.9%
+12.6 pp in Virginia Beach, VA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.6%
40.4%
+5.8 pp in Virginia Beach, VA
Avg Commute
32.0 min
23.2 min
+8.8 min in Philadelphia, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
916.8
96.7
+89% in Philadelphia, PA
Property Crime
4,614.3
1,664.3
+64% in Philadelphia, PA

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
48.5 in
44.3 in
+4.2 in in Philadelphia, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.30/gal
$4.30/gal
about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.50
$2.00
+20% in Philadelphia, PA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
20.9
17.1
+18% in Philadelphia, PA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$16.67
$18.75
+12% in Virginia Beach, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.14
$4.16
+1% in Virginia Beach, VA
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$1.73
+10% in Philadelphia, PA
Eggs (doz)
$2.25
$2.19
+3% in Philadelphia, PA
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$6.56
+5% in Philadelphia, PA
Chicken (lb)
$2.02
$1.90
+6% in Philadelphia, PA
Bananas (lb)
$0.68
$0.61
+10% in Philadelphia, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / VA)
6%
5.3%
+0.7 pp in PA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.07%
5.75%
+2.7 pp in VA

Philadelphia vs Virginia Beach — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Philadelphia or Virginia Beach?
Philadelphia, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,400 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Virginia Beach, VA's $1,540, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Philadelphia than in Virginia Beach?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Philadelphia versus $54,000 in Virginia Beach.
Which has lower taxes, Philadelphia or Virginia Beach?
Philadelphia is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% 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).