Median rent is 1% lower in Virginia Beach ($1,714/mo vs $1,729/mo). Buying is cheaper in Virginia Beach, where the median home runs $382,500 versus $555,300. Households earn more in Austin ($93,658 vs $92,968 a year). Taken together, Virginia Beach is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.7 against 98.3 — about 1% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Virginia Beach is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 97.7 in Virginia Beach vs 98.3 in Austin (US national average = 100)
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Virginia Beach, VA
How much would you need to earn in Virginia Beach, VA to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$74,577
You could earn $423 less (1% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Austin
Texas
Virginia Beach
Virginia
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,729/mo in Austin and $1,714/mo in Virginia Beach. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $555,300 versus $382,500 in Virginia Beach — 31% more expensive.
Metric
Austin
Virginia Beach
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Austin
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Virginia Beach
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Virginia Beach has cleaner air on average: 45.0 AQI (Good) compared to 65.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Virginia Beach if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 45.0).
Virginia Beach is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.7 versus 98.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Virginia Beach.
Median rent is $1,729/mo in Austin, TX and $1,714/mo in Virginia Beach, VA. Virginia Beach, VA has the lower rent by about 1%.
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin, TX and $92,968 in Virginia Beach, VA. Austin, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Virginia Beach, VA has better air quality on average: 45.0 AQI versus 65.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Austin, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,436 in Virginia Beach, VA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
