Raleigh, NC vs Virginia Beach, VA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Virginia Beach, VA and Raleigh, NC are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Raleigh works out to about $74,800 in Virginia Beach, before taxes.
- Housing is 3.5% lower in Virginia Beach, goods 0.2% higher and other services 0.4% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,886 a month in Virginia Beach and $1,669 in Raleigh, $2,604 a year more in Virginia Beach (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $371,000 in Virginia Beach and $428,000 in Raleigh.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.1%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Raleigh and Virginia Beach
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Raleigh, NC
- Virginia Beach, VA
All items Raleigh, NC: 98.2 Virginia Beach, VA: 97.9
Goods Raleigh, NC: 96.6 Virginia Beach, VA: 96.8
Housing (rents) Raleigh, NC: 103.5 Virginia Beach, VA: 99.8
Utilities Raleigh, NC: 89.0 Virginia Beach, VA: 89.6
Other services Raleigh, NC: 98.2 Virginia Beach, VA: 98.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.2 | 97.9 |
| Goods | 96.6 | 96.8 |
| Housing (rents) | 103.5 | 99.8 |
| Utilities | 89.0 | 89.6 |
| Other services | 98.2 | 98.6 |
| Category | Raleigh | Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach vs Raleigh |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.2 | 97.9 | −0.2% |
| Goods | 96.6 | 96.8 | +0.2% |
| Housing (rents) | 103.5 | 99.8 | −3.5% |
| Utilities | 89.0 | 89.6 | +0.7% |
| Other services | 98.2 | 98.6 | +0.4% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,669 | $1,886 | +13.0% |
| Typical home value | $428,000 | $371,000 | −13.3% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Raleigh | $75,000 | $74,800 | −0.2% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Raleigh and Virginia Beach has narrowed since 2008: 3.1 points then, 0.2 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Raleigh, NC
- Virginia Beach, VA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.0 | 100.1 |
| 2009 | 95.9 | 99.2 |
| 2010 | 97.2 | 100.9 |
| 2011 | 98.3 | 101.3 |
| 2012 | 98.0 | 100.1 |
| 2013 | 97.9 | 99.7 |
| 2014 | 98.4 | 100.1 |
| 2015 | 98.3 | 100.2 |
| 2016 | 99.3 | 101.0 |
| 2017 | 98.4 | 99.1 |
| 2018 | 96.9 | 97.9 |
| 2019 | 95.6 | 95.5 |
| 2020 | 95.4 | 95.6 |
| 2021 | 97.6 | 97.9 |
| 2022 | 98.3 | 97.9 |
| 2023 | 98.4 | 97.7 |
| 2024 | 98.2 | 97.9 |
Goods
- Raleigh, NC
- Virginia Beach, VA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.4 | 97.6 |
| 2009 | 95.4 | 95.6 |
| 2010 | 97.0 | 96.8 |
| 2011 | 97.0 | 96.7 |
| 2012 | 97.2 | 96.9 |
| 2013 | 97.1 | 96.8 |
| 2014 | 97.4 | 96.9 |
| 2015 | 96.5 | 96.2 |
| 2016 | 97.2 | 96.8 |
| 2017 | 97.1 | 96.6 |
| 2018 | 95.7 | 95.6 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 95.1 |
| 2020 | 95.4 | 95.2 |
| 2021 | 96.2 | 96.1 |
| 2022 | 95.6 | 95.5 |
| 2023 | 96.8 | 97.1 |
| 2024 | 96.6 | 96.8 |
Housing (rents)
- Raleigh, NC
- Virginia Beach, VA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.7 | 112.1 |
| 2009 | 92.0 | 113.1 |
| 2010 | 91.6 | 115.6 |
| 2011 | 94.4 | 115.4 |
| 2012 | 92.9 | 108.7 |
| 2013 | 94.1 | 107.8 |
| 2014 | 95.4 | 109.5 |
| 2015 | 95.2 | 108.8 |
| 2016 | 96.3 | 108.7 |
| 2017 | 97.3 | 103.7 |
| 2018 | 96.8 | 104.2 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 97.5 |
| 2020 | 96.2 | 98.4 |
| 2021 | 97.0 | 99.3 |
| 2022 | 104.4 | 99.9 |
| 2023 | 104.0 | 97.7 |
| 2024 | 103.5 | 99.8 |
Utilities
- Raleigh, NC
- Virginia Beach, VA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 87.6 | 87.0 |
| 2009 | 87.8 | 89.5 |
| 2010 | 89.7 | 91.4 |
| 2011 | 89.3 | 90.6 |
| 2012 | 90.5 | 90.8 |
| 2013 | 90.4 | 89.1 |
| 2014 | 90.9 | 91.1 |
| 2015 | 90.7 | 91.1 |
| 2016 | 87.6 | 88.3 |
| 2017 | 83.8 | 84.5 |
| 2018 | 87.0 | 88.7 |
| 2019 | 89.4 | 91.6 |
| 2020 | 87.9 | 90.0 |
| 2021 | 84.9 | 86.9 |
| 2022 | 83.0 | 88.8 |
| 2023 | 83.8 | 88.4 |
| 2024 | 89.0 | 89.6 |
Other services
- Raleigh, NC
- Virginia Beach, VA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.8 | 98.6 |
| 2009 | 98.2 | 97.5 |
| 2010 | 99.7 | 99.5 |
| 2011 | 101.2 | 100.7 |
| 2012 | 100.8 | 100.2 |
| 2013 | 100.3 | 99.7 |
| 2014 | 100.6 | 99.8 |
| 2015 | 101.1 | 100.8 |
| 2016 | 102.3 | 102.1 |
| 2017 | 100.5 | 100.3 |
| 2018 | 98.3 | 98.0 |
| 2019 | 95.8 | 95.4 |
| 2020 | 95.5 | 95.1 |
| 2021 | 99.6 | 99.6 |
| 2022 | 99.7 | 99.6 |
| 2023 | 98.7 | 98.8 |
| 2024 | 98.2 | 98.6 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,886 in Virginia Beach vs $1,669 in Raleigh
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Raleigh, NC
- Virginia Beach, VA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,059 | $1,073 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,083 | $1,086 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,086 | $1,082 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,087 | $1,078 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,096 | $1,086 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,122 | $1,095 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,123 | $1,094 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,114 | $1,091 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,135 | $1,109 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,164 | $1,121 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,166 | $1,122 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,158 | $1,119 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,184 | $1,134 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,205 | $1,148 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,209 | $1,147 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,201 | $1,158 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,219 | $1,168 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,247 | $1,185 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,251 | $1,190 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,252 | $1,200 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,270 | $1,204 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,272 | $1,219 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,290 | $1,255 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,297 | $1,276 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,321 | $1,305 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,405 | $1,385 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,489 | $1,460 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,511 | $1,470 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,542 | $1,485 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,606 | $1,527 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,638 | $1,560 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,606 | $1,551 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,625 | $1,576 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,646 | $1,601 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,650 | $1,620 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,616 | $1,613 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,623 | $1,634 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,648 | $1,676 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,643 | $1,701 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,624 | $1,691 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,641 | $1,710 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,651 | $1,746 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,646 | $1,761 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,625 | $1,779 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,642 | $1,812 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,655 | $1,842 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,669 | $1,886 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $371,000 in Virginia Beach vs $428,000 in Raleigh
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Raleigh, NC
- Virginia Beach, VA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $222K | $219K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $225K | $220K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $229K | $223K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $234K | $225K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $239K | $226K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $242K | $226K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $246K | $226K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $250K | $229K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $254K | $230K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $258K | $232K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $261K | $233K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $264K | $234K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $269K | $236K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $272K | $237K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $275K | $239K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $279K | $240K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $283K | $242K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $285K | $244K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $287K | $246K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $291K | $249K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $295K | $253K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $298K | $255K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $303K | $260K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $314K | $271K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $326K | $280K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $344K | $291K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $369K | $295K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $390K | $300K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $417K | $311K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $447K | $321K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $449K | $322K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $438K | $323K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $431K | $326K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $435K | $333K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $439K | $340K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $440K | $342K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $443K | $346K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $447K | $352K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $446K | $355K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $446K | $357K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $444K | $359K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $440K | $359K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $436K | $361K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $434K | $364K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $433K | $366K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $430K | $368K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $428K | $371K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Raleigh, NC
- Cost of living in Virginia Beach, VA
- Reverse: moving from Virginia Beach to Raleigh
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.