Median rent is 12% lower in Fort Worth ($1,509/mo vs $1,714/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Worth, where the median home runs $303,000 versus $382,500. Households earn more in Virginia Beach ($92,968 vs $79,507 a year). Taken together, Virginia Beach is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.7 against 102.5 — about 5% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Virginia Beach, VA.
Cost of living verdict
Virginia Beach is 5% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 97.7 in Virginia Beach vs 102.5 in Fort Worth (US national average = 100)
City A
Fort Worth, TX
City B
Virginia Beach, VA
How much would you need to earn in Virginia Beach, VA to maintain your standard of living from Fort Worth, TX?
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$71,511
You could earn $3,489 less (5% 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
Fort Worth
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 rent is modestly lower in Fort Worth at $1,509/mo compared to $1,714/mo in Virginia Beach (12% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Virginia Beach: the median home is $382,500 versus $303,000 in Fort Worth — 21% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fort Worth
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Virginia Beach
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Virginia Beach (avg AQI 45.0) but not yet for Fort Worth.
Pick Virginia Beach if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 97.7 vs 102.5).
Pick Virginia Beach if you prioritize higher median household income ($92,968/yr).
Pick Fort Worth if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,509/mo median).
Is Fort Worth cheaper than Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.7 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 5% lower in Virginia Beach.
How much is rent in Fort Worth vs Virginia Beach?
Median rent is $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX and $1,714/mo in Virginia Beach, VA. Fort Worth, TX has the lower rent by about 12%.
Which has higher salaries — Fort Worth or Virginia Beach?
Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fort Worth, TX is equivalent to roughly $95,348 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
