Vienna vs Virginia Beach
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Vienna
Virginia Beach
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 16.2%, with Vienna being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Vienna has equivalent purchasing power to $89,489 in Virginia Beach.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Vienna has the same purchasing power as $89,489 in Virginia Beach.
Conversely, $75,000 in Virginia Beach equals $62,857 in Vienna.
Living in Vienna vs Virginia Beach
Housing Costs
Vienna's housing index of 105 is lower Virginia Beach's 112, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $310,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,275/mo in Vienna compared to $1,500/mo in Virginia Beach, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 85 in Vienna and 100 in Virginia Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $404/month in Vienna vs $475/month in Virginia Beach. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Vienna and 98 in Virginia Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Vienna vs $392 in Virginia Beach. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 82 in Vienna and 99 in Virginia Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $48,000 in Vienna and $73,418 in Virginia Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,545 and $69,922 respectively. Virginia Beach residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,120/month to housing in Vienna vs $1,713/month in Virginia Beach. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Virginia Beach, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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