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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Virginia Beach: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

2.1% below

Cost of living in Virginia Beach is 2.1% below the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area (index 97.9; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Virginia Beach is $1,753 a month.

Cost of living in Virginia Beach by category

Overall prices

97.9U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

−2.1% vs. U.S.

Goods
96.8 −3.2%
Housing (rents)
99.8 −0.2%
Utilities
89.6 −10.4%
Other services
98.6 −1.4%

BEA 2024 · Virginia Beach metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,753/mo

Median gross rent

+18% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,557 +20% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,629 +9% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$2,019 +20% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$403,200 +12% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$2,144 +5% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$173/mo

Average electric bill

+11% vs. U.S.

Electricity price
17.6¢/kWh −4% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$21.74/Mcf +12% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
89.6

EIA July 2026 · Virginia statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

24.8min

Mean travel time to work

−9% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
76.1%
Work from home
12.1%
Gasoline (PADD 1C avg.)
$4.07/gal −7% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$237/wk

Center care, infant

+36% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$195/wk +27% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$190/wk +32% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$161/wk +12% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Virginia Beach City Details: Child care

Income

$94,579/yr

Median household income

+16% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
22%
Home value to income
4.3×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Virginia Beach

Median gross rent in Virginia Beach is $1,753 a month, 18% above the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $1,500–$1,999 range, which holds 39.4% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 30.6% pay $2,000 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $403,200, and 7.1% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: Virginia Beach vs. Virginia vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Virginia Beach: $1,753; Virginia: $1,646; U.S.: $1,487 Virginia Beach $1,753 Virginia $1,646 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Virginia Beach: $2,144; Virginia: $2,149; U.S.: $2,035 Virginia Beach $2,144 Virginia $2,149 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Virginia Beach: $403,200; Virginia: $403,500; U.S.: $360,600 Virginia Beach $403,200 Virginia $403,500 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureVirginia BeachVirginiaU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,753$1,646$1,487
Monthly owner costs$2,144$2,149$2,035
Median home value$403,200$403,500$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Virginia Beach

What renters pay in Virginia Beach Share of renter households paying cash rent in Virginia Beach by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 2.5%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 2.7%. Median $1,753. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% Less than $500: 2.5% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 1.9% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 2.5% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 9.6% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 13.6% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 39.4% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 20% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 6.1% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 1.8% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 2.7% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $1,753 (Virginia Beach) 39.4%
Show the data table
RangeVirginia BeachU.S.
Less than $5002.5%6.1%
$500–$7491.9%6.8%
$750–$9992.5%11.5%
$1,000–$1,2499.6%13.5%
$1,250–$1,49913.6%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99939.4%22.2%
$2,000–$2,49920%13.2%
$2,500–$2,9996.1%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4991.8%3.2%
$3,500 or more2.7%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in Virginia Beach

Home values in Virginia Beach Share of owner-occupied homes in Virginia Beach by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 4.2%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 3%. Median $403,200. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $100,000: 4.2% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 0.9% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 4% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 5.6% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 10.2% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 24.7% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 16.2% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 18.9% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 8.3% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 4.1% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 3% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $403,200 (Virginia Beach) 24.7%
Show the data table
RangeVirginia BeachU.S.
Less than $100,0004.2%10.2%
$100,000–$149,9990.9%5.7%
$150,000–$199,9994%7.5%
$200,000–$249,9995.6%8.4%
$250,000–$299,99910.2%8.5%
$300,000–$399,99924.7%15.9%
$400,000–$499,99916.2%12%
$500,000–$749,99918.9%16.3%
$750,000–$999,9998.3%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,9994.1%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more3%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Virginia Beach

Measure Virginia Beach Virginia U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,753$1,646$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,557$1,520$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,629$1,555$1,490
3-bedroom rent $2,019$1,808$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $2,144$2,149$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Virginia Beach?

At the median, rent takes about 22% of household income in Virginia Beach. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $70,100 a year.

The median home is worth $403,200, or 4.3 times the median household income.

Household income in Virginia Beach

The median household in Virginia Beach earns $94,579 a year, 16% above the U.S. median of $81,604. About 13.8% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 9.4% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Virginia Beach vs. Virginia vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Virginia Beach: $94,579; Virginia: $92,090; U.S.: $81,604 Virginia Beach $94,579 Virginia $92,090 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureVirginia BeachVirginiaU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$94,579$92,090$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Virginia Beach

Household income distribution in Virginia Beach Share of households in Virginia Beach by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 3.6%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 13.8%. Median $94,579. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% Less than $10,000: 3.6% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 2.2% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 1.2% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 2.4% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 2.1% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 2.9% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 2.3% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 3.3% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 2.4% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 7.5% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 9.9% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 13.1% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 11.5% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 8.5% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 13.4% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 13.8% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $94,579 (Virginia Beach) 13.8%
Show the data table
RangeVirginia BeachU.S.
Less than $10,0003.6%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9992.2%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9991.2%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9992.4%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9992.1%3%
$30,000–$34,9992.9%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9992.3%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9993.3%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9992.4%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9997.5%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9999.9%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99913.1%12.6%
$100,000–$124,99911.5%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9998.5%7.4%
$150,000–$199,99913.4%9.7%
$200,000 or more13.8%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Virginia Beach Virginia U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $94,579$92,090$81,604
Median home value $403,200$403,500$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area scored 97.9 for all items. The highest category is housing rents at 99.8; the lowest is utilities at 89.6.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Virginia Beach metro area: 97.9; Virginia: 101.1; U.S.: 100.0 Virginia Beach metro area 97.9 Virginia 101.1 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Virginia Beach metro area: 96.8; Virginia: 100.4; U.S.: 99.6 Virginia Beach metro area 96.8 Virginia 100.4 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Virginia Beach metro area: 99.8; Virginia: 106.8; U.S.: 100.6 Virginia Beach metro area 99.8 Virginia 106.8 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Virginia Beach metro area: 89.6; Virginia: 92.2; U.S.: 98.4 Virginia Beach metro area 89.6 Virginia 92.2 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Virginia Beach metro area: 98.6; Virginia: 100.2; U.S.: 100.1 Virginia Beach metro area 98.6 Virginia 100.2 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureVirginia Beach metro areaVirginiaU.S.
All items97.9101.1100.0
Goods96.8100.499.6
Housing (rents)99.8106.8100.6
Utilities89.692.298.4
Other services98.6100.2100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in Virginia paid an average of 17.6¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $173 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $21.74 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are Virginia averages rather than figures for Virginia Beach alone.

Energy prices: Virginia vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) Virginia: 17.6¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ Virginia 17.6¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) Virginia: $173; U.S.: $157 Virginia $173 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) Virginia: $21.74; U.S.: $19.40 Virginia $21.74 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureVirginiaU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)17.6¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$173$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$21.74$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Virginia Beach who commute spend an average of 24.8 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (76.1% of workers); 12.1% work from home. Gasoline in the Lower Atlantic region (PADD 1C), which includes Virginia, averaged $4.07 a gallon for regular in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally. EIA publishes no separate Virginia price.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Virginia Beach: Drove alone 76.1%, Carpooled 7.4%, Public transit 0.9%, Walked 1.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 12.1%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.5%. Virginia: Drove alone 68.6%, Carpooled 8.7%, Public transit 3%, Walked 2.1%, Bicycle 0.3%, Worked from home 15.8%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.5%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Virginia Beach: Drove alone. Virginia Beach Virginia Beach · Drove alone: 76.1% 76.1% Virginia Beach · Carpooled: 7.4% Virginia Beach · Public transit: 0.9% Virginia Beach · Walked: 1.4% Virginia Beach · Bicycle: 0.5% Virginia Beach · Worked from home: 12.1% 12.1% Virginia Beach · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.5% Virginia Virginia · Drove alone: 68.6% 68.6% Virginia · Carpooled: 8.7% Virginia · Public transit: 3% Virginia · Walked: 2.1% Virginia · Bicycle: 0.3% Virginia · Worked from home: 15.8% 15.8% Virginia · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.5% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationVirginia BeachVirginiaU.S.
Drove alone76.1%68.6%69.2%
Carpooled7.4%8.7%9.2%
Public transit0.9%3%3.7%
Walked1.4%2.1%2.4%
Bicycle0.5%0.3%0.5%
Worked from home12.1%15.8%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)1.5%1.5%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Virginia Beach

Travel time to work in Virginia Beach Share of workers who do not work from home in Virginia Beach by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 1.5%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 2.2%. Mean 24.8 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than 5 min: 1.5% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 7.6% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 13.3% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 17.5% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 18.2% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 10.6% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 14.7% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 3.5% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 1.5% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 6.3% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 3% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 2.2% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 24.8 min (Virginia Beach) 18.2%
Show the data table
RangeVirginia BeachU.S.
Less than 5 min1.5%2.8%
5–9 min7.6%9.4%
10–14 min13.3%13.1%
15–19 min17.5%15%
20–24 min18.2%14.1%
25–29 min10.6%7%
30–34 min14.7%13.7%
35–39 min3.5%3.4%
40–44 min1.5%4.1%
45–59 min6.3%8.3%
60–89 min3%6.3%
90 min or more2.2%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Virginia Beach

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $237 a week in Virginia Beach City, or $12,314 over 52 weeks. That is 36% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Virginia Beach City Virginia (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $237$191$174
Center-based care, toddler $195$147$153
Center-based care, preschool $190$141$144
Center-based care, school-age $153$142$120
Home-based family care, infant $161$158$143
Home-based family care, toddler $158$131$132
Home-based family care, preschool $158$131$131
Home-based family care, school-age $131$129$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Virginia Beach prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Virginia Beach?

Median rent is $1,557 for a one-bedroom and $1,629 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Virginia Beach?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 6.9% pay less than $1,000 a month, 62.6% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 30.6% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

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

To keep the median rent of $1,753 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $70,100 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Virginia Beach more expensive than the U.S. average?

No. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area at 97.9 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 2.1% below average. Housing rents score 99.8.

How long is the average commute in Virginia Beach?

24.8 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Virginia Beach?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $237 a week in Virginia Beach City in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.