Median rent is 8% lower in Raleigh ($1,572/mo vs $1,714/mo). Buying is cheaper in Virginia Beach, where the median home runs $382,500 versus $415,800. Households earn more in Virginia Beach ($92,968 vs $85,395 a year). Taken together, Virginia Beach is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.7 against 98.4 — about 1% 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 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 97.7 in Virginia Beach vs 98.4 in Raleigh (US national average = 100)
City A
Raleigh, NC
City B
Virginia Beach, VA
How much would you need to earn in Virginia Beach, VA to maintain your standard of living from Raleigh, NC?
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$74,517
You could earn $483 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
Raleigh
North Carolina
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 Raleigh at $1,572/mo compared to $1,714/mo in Virginia Beach (8% gap). Median home values are within 8% of each other: $415,800 in Raleigh 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.
Raleigh
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 47.0 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).
Is Raleigh cheaper than Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.7 versus 98.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Virginia Beach.
How much is rent in Raleigh vs Virginia Beach?
Median rent is $1,572/mo in Raleigh, NC and $1,714/mo in Virginia Beach, VA. Raleigh, NC has the lower rent by about 8%.
Which has higher salaries — Raleigh or Virginia Beach?
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh, NC 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?
Virginia Beach, VA has better air quality on average: 45.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Raleigh 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 Raleigh income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Raleigh, NC is equivalent to roughly $99,356 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
