Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Richmond 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: Virginia salaries · Virginia salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Richmond has a housing index of 108 while Virginia Beach sits at 112 (national average = 100). The median home in Richmond costs $300,000 compared to $310,000 in Virginia Beach, a difference of $10,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Richmond versus $1,500 in Virginia Beach.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Richmond scores 100 while Virginia Beach scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Richmond (100) are higher than Virginia Beach (99). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Richmond is $50,120 compared to $73,418 in Virginia Beach. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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