Virginia Beach, Virginia
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Virginia Beach.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Virginia Beach?
For relocators asking how much Virginia Beach costs: the housing index sits at 122 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $366,300 and rents near $1,649. Local median income is about $90,685 and unemployment recently ran 3.5% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 24 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 129.4 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 122U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $366,300U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,649U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $90,685U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.5%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 24 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 129.4per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 85°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Virginia Beach compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 454,808City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $90,685Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year15% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 122ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year22% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $366,300City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year21% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,649City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year22% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.5%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 24 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3327% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 129.4annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)78% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 1760.7annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)43% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 85°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals2.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 33°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (34°F)U.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 46.6 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals41% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 243As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals9% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Virginia Beach grew 3.6% from 438,859 in 2010 to 454,808 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Virginia Beach expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Virginia Beach's housing cost index is 122 versus 100 nationally — above the U.S. housing-cost baseline. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($366,300 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,649 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 122 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $366,300 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,649 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Virginia Beach?
Typical ownership costs center near $366,300, while median gross rent is about $1,649 a month. Against a median household income of $90,685, rent alone is roughly 22% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $366,300
- Median rent $1,649/month
- Median household income $90,685
What is the job market like in Virginia Beach?
County unemployment recently ran 3.5% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Virginia Beach is about $90,685 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 3.5% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $90,685
How long is the typical commute in Virginia Beach?
Average one-way commute time is about 24 minutes, with Walk Score near 33/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 24 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 33/100
Is Virginia Beach safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 129.4 per 100k and property about 1760.7 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 129.4 per 100k
- Property 1760.7 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Virginia Beach?
Normals show summer highs near 85°F, winter lows near 33°F, about 46.6 inches of rain, and roughly 243 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 85°F
- Winter low 33°F
- 46.6 in rain · 243 sunny days
Virginia Beach (pop. 454,808) sits in Virginia. Households here report a median income near $90,685; our housing-derived cost index is about 122 (above the national housing-cost baseline). Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $366,300 push many newcomers toward renting first.
Federal-contractor suburbs and Atlantic coastal towns pull different budgets. Pack for 85°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 33°F. Commutes average near 24 minutes one-way, with walkability near 33/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 3.5% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 129.4 per 100k compare favorably with many peer metros, though local blocks still differ.
Virginia Beach sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Virginia Beach with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Virginia Beach city, 1600000US5182000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Virginia Beach city, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013769 OCEANA NAS) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10