salaryVirginia Beach is the largest city in Virginia that we track, with 456,349 residents. Rent is higher than in 65% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.8 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $76,960 a year. That is $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Virginia cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Virginia. It is number 91 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Virginia Beach with other big cities
Compare Virginia Beach to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Virginia Beach?
Share of households by yearly income. 34.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Virginia Beach
| Size | Virginia Beach | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,638 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,503 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,712 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,036 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,386 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Virginia Beach overall?
Everyday prices in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 97.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Virginia Beach
Life in Virginia Beach
What jobs pay in Virginia Beach
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,280 | 16.9% |
| Lawyer | $133,380 | 17.3% |
| Software Developer | $129,090 | 17.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $126,430 | 18.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,530 | 18.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,760 | 22.3% |
| Operations Manager | $100,340 | 23.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,890 | 23.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,680 | 24.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $89,450 | 25.8% |
| Accountant | $79,450 | 29.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $69,560 | 33.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,370 | 35.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,380 | 36.4% |
| Electrician | $62,350 | 37.0% |
| Plumber | $61,870 | 37.3% |
| Police Officer | $59,690 | 38.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,470 | 38.8% |
| Firefighter | $56,940 | 40.5% |
| Carpenter | $51,500 | 44.8% |
| Truck Driver | $50,460 | 45.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,620 | 52.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,160 | 59.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $39,020 | 59.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,990 | 59.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,150 | 60.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,280 | 63.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,820 | 74.9% |
| Cashier | $29,320 | 78.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Virginia Beach?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $730 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $382,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $38,250 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Virginia Beach, VA?
Renting in Virginia Beach costs a median of about $1,924 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Virginia Beach?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $76,960 a year, or $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Virginia Beach cheap or expensive?
Virginia Beach is rated OK: rent takes 23.0% of the typical household income of $100,266. It ranks 91st cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Virginia Beach?
The median homeowner in Virginia Beach pays $3,061 a year in property taxes, about 0.80% of the median home value.
Is Virginia Beach more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Virginia Beach?
The median home value in Virginia Beach is $382,500, about 3.8 times the typical yearly household income.
456,349 people live in Virginia Beach. Numbers are typical (middle) values.