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Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

Cost of living in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach city, VA

Part of the Virginia Beach Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,743/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 457,066 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,483 40%
Federal tax $635 17%
Healthcare $480 13%
Groceries $355 9%
Transport $320 9%
State tax $213 6%
Energy $202 5%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Virginia Beach

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,475
per month
1 bedroom
$1,483
per month
2 bedroom
$1,696
per month
3 bedroom
$2,361
per month
4 bedroom
$2,809
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Virginia Beach

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$90,685
per year
Individual earnings
$48,905
per year
Per capita
$47,372
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Virginia Beach

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$366,300
Annual property tax
$2,929

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Virginia Beach

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$153
per month · 14.6¢/kWh
Natural gas
$49
per month
Annual total
$2,424
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Virginia Beach

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.5%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Virginia Beach

State and local tax rates for Virginia.

State income tax
5.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
5.3%
Combined sales tax
5.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Virginia Beach

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
23.2 min
Drive alone
75.3%
Public transit
0.8%
Work from home
12.7%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Virginia Beach

What it costs to live in Virginia Beach each month.

Single person
$3,743
per month
  • Rent $1,483
  • Energy $202
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $355
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $635
  • State tax $213
Couple
$5,442
per month
  • Rent $1,696
  • Energy $242
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $588
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,154
  • State tax $413
Family
$8,269
per month
  • Rent $2,361
  • Energy $303
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $893
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,154
  • State tax $413

Frequently asked questions about Virginia Beach

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Virginia Beach?

In Virginia Beach, Virginia, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,483 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,696 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,361 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Virginia Beach?

In Virginia Beach, Virginia, the average household income is $90,685 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $48,905 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Virginia Beach?

The estimated cost of living in Virginia Beach, Virginia is approximately $3,743 per month for a single person, $5,442 for a couple, $8,269 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Virginia Beach?

The combined sales tax rate in Virginia Beach, Virginia is 5.75%, which includes the Virginia state rate of 5.30% plus an average local rate of 0.45%.

Is Virginia Beach an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Virginia Beach, Virginia would need approximately $3,743 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $90,685 per year ($7,557 per month). Virginia Beach is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Virginia Beach?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Virginia Beach, Virginia is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.5% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Virginia Beach?

The average home value in Virginia Beach, Virginia is $366,300, with average annual property taxes of $2,929, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Virginia Beach compare to other areas?

You can compare Virginia Beach, Virginia with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Virginia Beach is in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area.

Other counties in Virginia

Browse the full list of counties in Virginia, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Virginia

Compare Virginia Beach with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources