What it's like to live in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is a large city in Virginia with unemployment below the national average, household incomes running above the national average, crime rates well below the national average, and air quality that stays clean most of the year. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Virginia Beach deals with rent well above the national average, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, and a car-dependent commute, with few people using transit.
The good
- Low unemployment
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Low crime rates
- Clean air
- Highly educated workforce
- Strong hospital ratings
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High rent burden for renters
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Virginia Beach compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Virginia Beach
Based on Virginia Beach's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$3,428
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $68,560 a year
- 51% of Virginia Beach renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$76,500
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $38,250
- Homes cost 4.1× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 21% above US
$1,714/mo median rent
Rent runs on the higher side, at $1,714 a month median. Whether that premium makes sense usually comes down to the local job market and what it pays. Home prices run above average, with a median around $382,500. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $382,500 · 51% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▼ 26% below US
3.2% unemployment
Unemployment here is 3.2%, a little below the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▼ 70% below US
100 violent crimes per 100k
Pretty safe, all things considered. Violent crime sits below the national average, nothing alarming, just ordinary city-life awareness.
Property crime 1485/100k · Virginia Beach Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 10% below US
23 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 23.4 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 14% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 85°F, and winters are chilly but manageable, with lows around 33°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
3 hospitals
There are 3 Medicare-certified hospitals inside city limits. They average 4.5 out of 5 on Medicare's star rating.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▲ 14% above US
41% bachelor's degree or higher
The population is well-educated, with 41% holding college degrees. That points to a strong professional base and generally a healthy local economy.
Schools
89 public schools inside the boundary
There are 89 public schools inside the boundary and 33 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1, close to the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Cape Henry Memorial Part of Colonial National Historical Park (10 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Virginia Beach's strongest points are unemployment below the national average and household incomes running above the national average; the main tradeoffs are rent well above the national average and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin. A year of median rent ($1,714/mo) equals 22% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit job seekers, anyone prioritizing low crime, and college-educated professionals. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Virginia Beach
All Virginia guides →Moving to Norfolk →
16 mi away · pop. 233,596
Rent $1,321/mo · Income $66,109
Compare with Virginia Beach →Moving to Chesapeake →
17 mi away · pop. 252,583
Rent $1,586/mo · Income $95,373
Compare with Virginia Beach →Moving to Portsmouth →
20 mi away · pop. 97,190
Rent $1,300/mo · Income $60,491
Compare with Virginia Beach →Moving to Hampton →
24 mi away · pop. 137,557
Rent $1,427/mo · Income $69,621
Compare with Virginia Beach →Not sure Virginia Beach is the one?
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