Cost of Living in Virginia Beach city, Virginia
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Virginia Beach city Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Virginia Beach city ranks #3,007 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 4%)
Sourced county brief
Virginia Beach Median Gross Rent Reaches $1,714 Monthly
The median gross rent in Virginia Beach city is $1,714 per month, a figure that is $544 higher than the Virginia unweighted county mean of $1,170. According to the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, the official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 32.2%. This is 3.6 percentage points above the state unweighted county mean of 28.6%. The median home value in the city is $382,500, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $295,808. Median monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units are $1,799, while the state mean is $1,190. Renter-household median income was estimated at $62,879. These figures provide a statistical snapshot of the city’s housing landscape during the five-year reporting period and do not constitute financial advice. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Virginia Beach city
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 32.2% of renter household income in Virginia Beach city, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,714 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,799. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $68,560 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Virginia unweighted mean of county median rents is $1,170 per month. Virginia Beach city's $1,714 median is 46.5% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Virginia Beach city
Rent Burden
22.1%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,169
per month
Owner Cost Burden
23.2%
of gross income
The median home in Virginia Beach city may be a stretch
Median home value is $382,500. Estimated monthly cost: $3,054 vs. your max of $2,169.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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