Cost of Living in Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach is about 7% more expensive than the national average.
What Things Cost
Compared to the US average (100)
Census ACS 2024
Census ACS 2024
BEA RPP 2023
BEA RPP 2023
Virginia Beach at a Glance
On the median income of $94,579, state income tax is roughly $5,438/year.
Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.
Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia and one of the largest beach resort cities in the United States. The cost of living sits just slightly above the national average, which is remarkable for a coastal city with Atlantic Ocean beach access. The military is the dominant economic force: Naval Air Station Oceana, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, and the broader Hampton Roads military complex make this one of the most military-connected cities in America. Tourism, healthcare, and an emerging tech sector round out the economy.
How People Get Around
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Who Lives Here
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Why People Move to Virginia Beach
Beach access at near-national-average prices is the headline. The Virginia Beach oceanfront boardwalk stretches 3 miles. The Chesapeake Bay side offers calmer waters. The school system is well-regarded. The military infrastructure means excellent VA healthcare facilities. Town Center has created a walkable urban node in what was traditionally a sprawling suburban city. First Landing State Park, where English settlers first landed in 1607, offers nature within the city. For military families, the concentration of bases means career continuity without relocation.
Neighborhoods
The Oceanfront is the tourist zone with high-rises and boardwalk access. The North End offers quieter, more residential beach living. Great Neck is affluent with waterfront homes. Town Center is the walkable urban node with condos, restaurants, and shops. Kempsville and Princess Anne are suburban family neighborhoods. Sandbridge is an isolated beach community south of the main resort. Chic's Beach on the Chesapeake Bay side offers a more laid-back, local beach vibe.
Things to Consider
Virginia Beach sprawls enormously, and most daily life requires a car. The summer tourist crush is intense along the oceanfront. Naval Air Station Oceana means jet noise is a fact of life in many neighborhoods. Hurricane risk along the Atlantic coast is real. Virginia's income tax (up to 5.75%) and property taxes add up. The city's economy is heavily military-dependent; base closures or military spending cuts would have outsized impact. Cultural amenities beyond the beach are thinner than nearby Norfolk or Richmond.
Compare Virginia Beach To...
Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Beach
Both, but they are different experiences. Year-round residents gravitate toward neighborhoods away from the oceanfront tourist zone: Great Neck, Town Center, Kempsville, and the North End. The beach is still accessible, but daily life is suburban. The school system is strong, military support infrastructure is excellent, and the cost of living is reasonable for a coastal city. It is not a resort life; it is a suburban life with beach access.
Virginia Beach is the largest and most suburban. Norfolk has the urban core, the arts scene, and the nightlife. Chesapeake is more rural and affordable. Newport News has shipbuilding (Newport News Shipbuilding is the sole builder of US aircraft carriers). Hampton has NASA Langley. Most residents think of Hampton Roads as one metro and choose their city based on commute, housing preference, and lifestyle. Virginia Beach wins on schools and beach access.
It shapes the culture without dominating civilian life. You will hear jet noise from Oceana. Military families are a significant portion of the population. Military-adjacent businesses (defense contractors, support services) are major employers. But Virginia Beach has its own civilian identity distinct from the bases. If you are not connected to the military, you can live comfortably here without the military presence affecting your daily life, aside from the jets.