Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Raleigh and Virginia Beach have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · Virginia salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Raleigh has a housing index of 107 while Virginia Beach sits at 112 (national average = 100). The median home in Raleigh costs $370,000 compared to $310,000 in Virginia Beach, a difference of $60,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Raleigh versus $1,500 in Virginia Beach.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Raleigh scores 100 while Virginia Beach scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Raleigh (108) are higher than Virginia Beach (99).
Median household income in Raleigh is $67,266 compared to $73,418 in Virginia Beach. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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