Median rent is 4% lower in Colorado Springs ($1,648/mo vs $1,714/mo). Buying is cheaper in Virginia Beach, where the median home runs $382,500 versus $452,600. Households earn more in Virginia Beach ($92,968 vs $84,818 a year). Taken together, Virginia Beach is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.7 against 98.1 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Virginia Beach, VA.
City A
Colorado Springs, CO
City B
Virginia Beach, VA
How much would you need to earn in Virginia Beach, VA to maintain your standard of living from Colorado Springs, CO?
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$74,701
You could earn $299 less (0% 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
Colorado Springs
Colorado
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: $1,648/mo in Colorado Springs and $1,714/mo in Virginia Beach. Median home values are within 15% of each other: $452,600 in Colorado Springs and $382,500 in Virginia Beach.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Colorado Springs
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Virginia Beach
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Colorado Springs has cleaner air on average: 23.0 AQI (Good) compared to 45.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Virginia Beach if you prioritize higher median household income ($92,968/yr).
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 23.0).
Is Colorado Springs cheaper than Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.7 versus 98.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Virginia Beach.
How much is rent in Colorado Springs vs Virginia Beach?
Median rent is $1,648/mo in Colorado Springs, CO and $1,714/mo in Virginia Beach, VA. Colorado Springs, CO has the lower rent by about 4%.
Which has higher salaries — Colorado Springs or Virginia Beach?
Median household income is $84,818 in Colorado Springs, CO and $92,968 in Virginia Beach, VA. Virginia Beach, VA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Colorado Springs, CO has better air quality on average: 23.0 AQI versus 45.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Colorado Springs or Virginia Beach?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Virginia Beach to match my Colorado Springs income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Colorado Springs, CO is equivalent to roughly $99,601 in Virginia Beach, VA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
