Buy vs Rent in Virginia Beach, VA (2026)
Median home price $310K · 1BR rent $1,550/mo · Price-to-rent ratio 16.7x.
Median home price
$310K
1BR rent
$1,550/mo
Price-to-rent ratio
16.7x
Verdict
Neutral
Monthly cost of buying — 3 scenarios
30-year mortgage at 7% · Includes property tax, insurance, and maintenance estimates
| 3.5% down (FHA) | 10% down | 20% down (conventional) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down payment | $10,850 | $31,000 | $62,000 |
| Mortgage (P&I) | $1,990/mo | $1,856/mo | $1,650/mo |
| Property tax (est.) | $284/mo | $284/mo | $284/mo |
| Insurance (est.) | $129/mo | $129/mo | $129/mo |
| Maintenance (est.) | $258/mo | $258/mo | $258/mo |
| Total monthly cost | $2,661vs rent: +$1,111/mo | $2,527vs rent: +$977/mo | $2,321vs rent: +$771/mo |
| Income to qualify | $85,286/yr | $79,543/yr | $70,714/yr |
| Break-even (approx.) | ~1 yrs | ~3 yrs | ~7 yrs |
Virginia Beach housing context
$68K
Median HH income
per year
$70,714
Income needed (20% down)
per year
+$3K
Affordability gap
vs median income
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to buy or rent in Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach's price-to-rent ratio of 16.7x is in the neutral zone (15-20x). Whether to buy or rent depends on how long you plan to stay, your down payment, and your personal finances.
How much do I need to earn to buy a home in Virginia Beach?
With a median home price of $310K in Virginia Beach, you'd need an annual income of roughly $70,714 to qualify with 20% down (at 7% rate, 28% housing ratio). With 10% down, you'd need about $79,543/year.
Virginia Beach full cost of living breakdownCheaper cities near Virginia BeachHow much to retire in Virginia BeachCompare mortgage rates
Mortgage at 7% 30-yr fixed · Property tax 1.1% est. · Maintenance 1% est. · Zillow, BLS · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only