Abilene vs Virginia Beach
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Virginia Beach
The Verdict
Abilene is 23.8% less expensive than Virginia Beach overall. A household earning $75,000 in Abilene would need approximately $98,438 in Virginia Beach to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $98,438 in Virginia Beach.
Conversely, $75,000 in Virginia Beach equals $57,143 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Virginia Beach
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Virginia Beach's 112, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $310,000. The $131,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,500/mo in Virginia Beach, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 100 in Virginia Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $475/month in Virginia Beach. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 98 in Virginia Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $392 in Virginia Beach. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 99 in Virginia Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $73,418 in Virginia Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $69,922 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,713/month in Virginia Beach. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Virginia Beach, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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