Virginia Beach wins overall by ~5% (COL index)
Cost of living: Richmond vs Virginia Beach (2026)
A $64,000 salary in Richmond buys roughly what $60,735 does in Virginia Beach (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$1,028/yr
Favoring Virginia Beach for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $86/mo in Virginia Beach, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Richmond Virginia | Virginia Beach Virginia | Who wins | Your impact at $64K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,300 | $1,200Better | Virginia wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Virginia |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,600 | $1,550Better | Virginia wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Virginia |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,000Better | $2,000 | — | — |
| Median home price | $330K | $310KBetter | Virginia wins −$20K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 97Better | 97 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14 | $13Better | Virginia wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $55Better | $55 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $70 | $48Wins | Virginia wins −$22/mo | $264/yr saves in Virginia |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.15 | Richmond wins +$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145Better | $160 | Richmond wins +$15/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155Better | $170 | Richmond wins +$15/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $60K | $68KBetter | Virginia wins +$8K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.8%Better | 5.8% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.0%Better | 6.0% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38Better | $40 | Richmond wins +$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Better | $6.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 98 | 93Better | Virginia wins -5 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 53Wins | 21 | Richmond wins -32 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Virginia Beach fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Virginia Beach.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Richmond cheaper than Virginia Beach?
No. Virginia Beach is 5% cheaper than Richmond based on overall cost of living indices (93 vs 98, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Richmond vs Virginia Beach?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Richmond is $1,600/month and in Virginia Beach is $1,550/month. Richmond is more expensive by 3%.
How much do I need to earn in Virginia Beach to match a $75,000 salary in Richmond?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $71,173/year in Virginia Beach to match a $75,000 salary in Richmond. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Richmond or Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach has the lower state income tax rate at 5.8% vs 5.8%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Richmond to Virginia Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Virginia Beach offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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