Cost of Living in Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Virginia Beach, VA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Virginia Beach, VA?
With a price level of 97.9 (U.S. average = 100), Virginia Beach, VA is close to the national average. In detail, housing costs cost about the same as the national average; everyday goods are 3% below average; utilities are 10% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining cost about the same as the national average. The biggest difference from the national average is in utilities.
Prices in Virginia Beach, VA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 97.9 | −2.1% |
| Housing | 99.8 | −0.2% |
| Goods | 96.8 | −3.2% |
| Utilities | 89.6 | −10.4% |
| Other services | 98.6 | −1.4% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Virginia Beach, VA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,488 | $59,520/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,508 | $60,320/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,708 | $68,320/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,369 | $94,760/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,789 | $111,560/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Virginia Beach, VA
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Virginia Beach, VA | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $39,200 | $32,237 |
| $60,000 | $58,800 | $46,859 |
| $80,000 | $78,400 | $60,291 |
| $100,000 | $97,900 | $72,888 |
| $150,000 | $146,900 | $104,040 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Virginia 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Virginia Beach, VA's median wage of $49,430 takes home about $3,322 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,508, which is 45% of take-home pay — well above the 30% guideline, so many workers here share housing or rent smaller units. That leaves about $1,814 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Virginia Beach, VA
- Federal income tax$3,752
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,065
- Medicare (1.45%)$717
- Virginia income tax$2,028
- Take-home pay$39,869
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
Highest-paying jobs in Virginia Beach, VA
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Virginia cities
Half of Virginia’s 4,109,320 workers earn less than $55,690 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $37,720–$89,420 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Washington, DC stretches a paycheck furthest, while Harrisonburg, VA is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $71,060 | 108.9 | $1,990 | 43% | $2,639 | $51,017 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $49,430 | 97.9 | $1,508 | 45% | $1,814 | $40,707 |
| Richmond, VA | $51,460 | 97.9 | $1,505 | 44% | $1,944 | $42,289 |
| Roanoke, VA | $47,140 | 93.6 | $1,020 | 32% | $2,160 | $40,762 |
| Kingsport, TN | $45,240 | 86.4 | $818 | 27% | $2,244 | $42,504 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $55,180 | 99.1 | $1,602 | 44% | $2,078 | $44,539 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $46,190 | 89.4 | $1,033 | 33% | $2,088 | $41,910 |
| Blacksburg, VA | $48,120 | 92.7 | $942 | 29% | $2,299 | $41,950 |
| Winchester, VA | $47,070 | 96.5 | $1,255 | 40% | $1,921 | $39,511 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $46,110 | 94.9 | $1,057 | 34% | $2,059 | $39,405 |
| Staunton, VA | $48,040 | 91.1 | $1,095 | 34% | $2,141 | $42,613 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Virginia Beach, VA vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 97.9 | $1,508 | $49,430 | 763,060 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 99.5 | $1,374 | $48,830 | 765,930 |
| Raleigh, NC | 98.2 | $1,596 | $51,990 | 743,120 |
| Providence, RI | 101.8 | $1,423 | $53,680 | 714,120 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 96.9 | $1,119 | $51,160 | 820,780 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 100.9 | $1,426 | $55,240 | 826,210 |
| Louisville, KY | 93.1 | $1,026 | $48,370 | 685,190 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Virginia Beach, VA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area are 97.9% of the U.S. average, with housing at 99.8%. It is the #115 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Virginia Beach, VA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $58,765 in Virginia Beach, VA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $49,430.
Can you afford Virginia Beach, VA on the median wage?
A single worker on the $49,430 median wage takes home about $3,322 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,508 would take 45% of that.
How much is rent in Virginia Beach, VA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Virginia Beach, VA are $1,488 for a studio, $1,508 for one bedroom, $1,708 for two bedrooms and $2,369 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Virginia Beach, VA
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $100,340
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Project Management Specialist — $104,920
- Management Analyst — $101,380
- Logistician — $91,460
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $87,530
- Accountant and Auditor — $79,450
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $79,380
- Human Resources Specialist — $76,240
- Training and Development Specialist — $74,470
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $129,090
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $116,920
- Computer User Support Specialist — $59,650
Community and Social Service Occupations
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $76,790
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $65,300
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $63,380
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $45,800
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $38,050
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $89,450
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $64,370
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Medical Assistant — $43,620
- Nursing Assistant — $38,990
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $28,420
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $59,690
- Firefighter — $56,940
- Security Guard — $37,230
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Bartender — $46,700
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $41,800
- Waiter and Waitress — $39,020
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $38,440
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,280
- Food Preparation Worker — $32,580
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $29,330
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,780
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $36,520
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $33,580
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $31,100
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Childcare Worker — $29,790
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $61,780
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $56,270
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $46,380
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $41,910
- Retail Salesperson — $30,820
- Cashier — $29,320
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $63,970
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $63,240
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $48,690
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $46,320
- Office Clerks, General — $44,630
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $44,080
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $43,630
- Customer Service Representative — $38,150
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $80,950
- Electrician — $62,350
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $61,870
- Carpenter — $51,500
- Construction Laborer — $38,490
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $79,660
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $59,470
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $58,290
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $47,820
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $79,620
- Machinist — $62,900
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $62,670
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $57,330
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $45,640
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $61,140
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $50,460
- Bus Drivers, School — $50,190
- Sailor and Marine Oiler — $48,210
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $47,040
- Light Truck Driver — $41,600
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $39,160
- Stocker and Order Filler — $35,120