Virginia Beach, VA vs Richmond, 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 Richmond, VA and Virginia Beach, VA are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Virginia Beach works out to about $74,900 in Richmond, before taxes.
- Housing is 0.7% lower in Richmond, goods 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,706 a month in Richmond and $1,886 in Virginia Beach, $2,160 a year less in Richmond (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $392,000 in Richmond and $371,000 in Virginia Beach.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.4%).
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 Virginia Beach and Richmond
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Richmond, VA
All items Virginia Beach, VA: 97.9 Richmond, VA: 97.9
Goods Virginia Beach, VA: 96.8 Richmond, VA: 96.8
Housing (rents) Virginia Beach, VA: 99.8 Richmond, VA: 99.1
Utilities Virginia Beach, VA: 89.6 Richmond, VA: 89.2
Other services Virginia Beach, VA: 98.6 Richmond, VA: 98.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Virginia Beach, VA | Richmond, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 97.9 | 97.9 |
| Goods | 96.8 | 96.8 |
| Housing (rents) | 99.8 | 99.1 |
| Utilities | 89.6 | 89.2 |
| Other services | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| Category | Virginia Beach | Richmond | Richmond vs Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 97.9 | 97.9 | −0.1% |
| Goods | 96.8 | 96.8 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 99.8 | 99.1 | −0.7% |
| Utilities | 89.6 | 89.2 | −0.4% |
| Other services | 98.6 | 98.6 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,886 | $1,706 | −9.5% |
| Typical home value | $371,000 | $392,000 | +5.6% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Virginia Beach | $75,000 | $74,900 | −0.1% |
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 Virginia Beach and Richmond has narrowed since 2008: 2.0 points then, 0.1 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Richmond, VA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Virginia Beach, VA | Richmond, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.1 | 98.1 |
| 2009 | 99.2 | 97.5 |
| 2010 | 100.9 | 98.6 |
| 2011 | 101.3 | 99.4 |
| 2012 | 100.1 | 98.6 |
| 2013 | 99.7 | 98.3 |
| 2014 | 100.1 | 98.5 |
| 2015 | 100.2 | 98.9 |
| 2016 | 101.0 | 99.3 |
| 2017 | 99.1 | 97.8 |
| 2018 | 97.9 | 97.1 |
| 2019 | 95.5 | 95.2 |
| 2020 | 95.6 | 95.9 |
| 2021 | 97.9 | 98.0 |
| 2022 | 97.9 | 97.6 |
| 2023 | 97.7 | 98.3 |
| 2024 | 97.9 | 97.9 |
Goods
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Richmond, VA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Virginia Beach, VA | Richmond, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.6 | 97.5 |
| 2009 | 95.6 | 95.6 |
| 2010 | 96.8 | 96.7 |
| 2011 | 96.7 | 96.7 |
| 2012 | 96.9 | 96.8 |
| 2013 | 96.8 | 96.7 |
| 2014 | 96.9 | 96.8 |
| 2015 | 96.2 | 96.0 |
| 2016 | 96.8 | 96.7 |
| 2017 | 96.6 | 96.5 |
| 2018 | 95.6 | 95.6 |
| 2019 | 95.1 | 95.1 |
| 2020 | 95.2 | 95.2 |
| 2021 | 96.1 | 96.1 |
| 2022 | 95.5 | 95.5 |
| 2023 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2024 | 96.8 | 96.8 |
Housing (rents)
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Richmond, VA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Virginia Beach, VA | Richmond, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 112.1 | 100.3 |
| 2009 | 113.1 | 103.2 |
| 2010 | 115.6 | 101.4 |
| 2011 | 115.4 | 103.5 |
| 2012 | 108.7 | 99.5 |
| 2013 | 107.8 | 99.4 |
| 2014 | 109.5 | 100.3 |
| 2015 | 108.8 | 100.9 |
| 2016 | 108.7 | 98.8 |
| 2017 | 103.7 | 95.8 |
| 2018 | 104.2 | 99.4 |
| 2019 | 97.5 | 95.4 |
| 2020 | 98.4 | 100.8 |
| 2021 | 99.3 | 99.5 |
| 2022 | 99.9 | 98.1 |
| 2023 | 97.7 | 101.0 |
| 2024 | 99.8 | 99.1 |
Utilities
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Richmond, VA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Virginia Beach, VA | Richmond, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 87.0 | 87.4 |
| 2009 | 89.5 | 90.5 |
| 2010 | 91.4 | 91.6 |
| 2011 | 90.6 | 90.8 |
| 2012 | 90.8 | 91.6 |
| 2013 | 89.1 | 89.5 |
| 2014 | 91.1 | 90.8 |
| 2015 | 91.1 | 91.3 |
| 2016 | 88.3 | 89.0 |
| 2017 | 84.5 | 86.0 |
| 2018 | 88.7 | 89.4 |
| 2019 | 91.6 | 92.1 |
| 2020 | 90.0 | 90.5 |
| 2021 | 86.9 | 87.1 |
| 2022 | 88.8 | 89.3 |
| 2023 | 88.4 | 88.8 |
| 2024 | 89.6 | 89.2 |
Other services
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Richmond, VA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Virginia Beach, VA | Richmond, VA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| 2009 | 97.5 | 97.4 |
| 2010 | 99.5 | 99.4 |
| 2011 | 100.7 | 100.6 |
| 2012 | 100.2 | 100.1 |
| 2013 | 99.7 | 99.7 |
| 2014 | 99.8 | 99.7 |
| 2015 | 100.8 | 100.7 |
| 2016 | 102.1 | 102.0 |
| 2017 | 100.3 | 100.2 |
| 2018 | 98.0 | 98.0 |
| 2019 | 95.4 | 95.4 |
| 2020 | 95.1 | 95.1 |
| 2021 | 99.6 | 99.6 |
| 2022 | 99.6 | 99.6 |
| 2023 | 98.8 | 98.9 |
| 2024 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,706 in Richmond vs $1,886 in Virginia Beach
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Richmond, 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
| Virginia Beach, VA | Richmond, VA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,073 | $974 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,086 | $983 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,082 | $995 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,078 | $989 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,086 | $998 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,095 | $1,018 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,094 | $1,018 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,091 | $1,016 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,109 | $1,034 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,121 | $1,060 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,122 | $1,066 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,119 | $1,066 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,134 | $1,088 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,148 | $1,114 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,147 | $1,106 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,158 | $1,114 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,168 | $1,138 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,185 | $1,161 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,190 | $1,157 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,200 | $1,158 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,204 | $1,179 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,219 | $1,198 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,255 | $1,214 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,276 | $1,221 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,305 | $1,251 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,385 | $1,314 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,460 | $1,357 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,470 | $1,383 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,485 | $1,417 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,527 | $1,478 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,560 | $1,508 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,551 | $1,487 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,576 | $1,501 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,601 | $1,526 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,620 | $1,533 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,613 | $1,522 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,634 | $1,557 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,676 | $1,596 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,701 | $1,609 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,691 | $1,609 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,710 | $1,628 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,746 | $1,656 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,761 | $1,665 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,779 | $1,656 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,812 | $1,686 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,842 | $1,711 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,886 | $1,706 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $392,000 in Richmond vs $371,000 in Virginia Beach
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Richmond, 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
| Virginia Beach, VA | Richmond, VA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $219K | $201K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $220K | $203K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $223K | $206K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $225K | $209K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $226K | $212K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $226K | $214K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $226K | $217K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $229K | $220K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $230K | $224K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $232K | $226K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $233K | $229K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $234K | $232K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $236K | $235K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $237K | $238K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $239K | $241K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $240K | $243K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $242K | $247K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $244K | $250K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $246K | $252K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $249K | $256K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $253K | $260K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $255K | $262K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $260K | $268K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $271K | $279K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $280K | $291K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $291K | $303K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $295K | $309K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $300K | $313K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $311K | $327K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $321K | $341K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $322K | $347K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $323K | $348K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $326K | $349K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $333K | $357K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $340K | $362K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $342K | $364K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $346K | $368K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $352K | $375K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $355K | $377K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $357K | $380K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $359K | $381K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $359K | $381K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $361K | $382K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $364K | $386K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $366K | $389K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $368K | $390K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $371K | $392K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Virginia Beach, VA
- Cost of living in Richmond, VA
- Reverse: moving from Richmond to Virginia Beach
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.