Virginia Beach wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: Rochester vs Virginia Beach (2026)
A $70,000 salary in Rochester buys roughly what $69,255 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
−$1,027/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 | Rochester Minnesota | Virginia Beach Virginia | Who wins | Your impact at $70K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,100Better | $1,200 | Rochester wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Rochester |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,400Better | $1,550 | Rochester wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Rochester |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,850Better | $2,000 | Rochester wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Rochester |
| Median home price | $290KBetter | $310K | Rochester wins +$20K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 100 | 97Better | Virginia wins -3 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13Better | $13 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $54Better | $55 | Rochester wins +$1/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $55 | $48Wins | Virginia wins −$7/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.25 | $3.15Better | Virginia wins −$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $142Better | $160 | Rochester wins +$18/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $168Better | $170 | Rochester wins +$2/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $62 | $60Better | Virginia wins −$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72KBetter | $68K | Rochester wins −$4K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 9.9% | 5.8%Wins | Virginia wins -4.1 pp | $2,870/yr saves in Virginia |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.5% | 6.0%Wins | Virginia wins -1.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $15.00 | Rochester wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Better | $40 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Better | $6.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 94 | 93Better | Virginia wins -1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 38Wins | 21 | Rochester wins -17 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$2,868/yr tax difference into cash back
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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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rochester cheaper than Virginia Beach?
No. Virginia Beach is 1% cheaper than Rochester based on overall cost of living indices (93 vs 94, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Rochester vs Virginia Beach?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Rochester is $1,400/month and in Virginia Beach is $1,550/month. Rochester is cheaper by 10%.
How much do I need to earn in Virginia Beach to match a $75,000 salary in Rochester?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $74,202/year in Virginia Beach to match a $75,000 salary in Rochester. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Rochester or Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach has the lower state income tax rate at 5.8% vs 9.9%. The difference is 4.1 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Rochester 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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