⚖️ City Comparison

Virginia Beach vs Visalia

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data

Virginia Beach

Virginia
105
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$73,418
Median Income

Visalia

California
142
Very Expensive
$421,000
Median Home
$1,780/mo
Median Rent
$79,700
Median Income

💡 The Verdict

26% Cheaper

Virginia Beach is 26% cheaper than Visalia overall. A $75,000 salary in Virginia Beach is equivalent to $101,429 in Visalia.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values for Virginia Beach (left) vs Visalia (right). National average = 100.

Housing
112
Housing
134
Groceries
100
Groceries
137
Utilities
98
Utilities
131
Transportation
101
Transportation
140
Healthcare
99
Healthcare
143

Detailed Price Comparison

Estimated item-level prices in Virginia Beach versus Visalia. Differences shown from Virginia Beach perspective.

ItemVirginia BeachVisaliaDifference
1-Bed Rent$1,080/mo$1,280/mo$-200.00
2-Bed Rent$1,500/mo$1,780/mo$-280.00
3-Bed Rent$1,930/mo$2,460/mo$-530.00
Bread (loaf)$2.82$3.91$-1.09
Milk (gallon)$4.20$5.02$-0.82
Eggs (dozen)$3.15$4.09$-0.94
Coffee (latte)$5.57$7.91$-2.34
Gas (gallon)$3.41$4.20$-0.79
Restaurant Meal$15.13$21.11$-5.98

💰 Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Virginia Beach has the same purchasing power as $101,429 in Visalia.

Conversely, $75,000 in Visalia equals $55,458 in Virginia Beach.

💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison

Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.

$53,887
Virginia Beach (Virginia)
$52,987
Visalia (California)

The $900 difference is driven by California having a higher state income tax rate. Virginia details → · California details →

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Your Weighted Score
105 vs 142

Reading These Numbers: Virginia Beach (105) vs Visalia (142)

Virginia Beach at 105 is 5% above the US average, while Visalia at 142 is 42% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

In Virginia Beach, the composite index of 105 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 112, followed by groceries (100), utilities (98), transportation (101), and healthcare (99). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.

For renters: With median rents of $1,500/mo in Virginia Beach and $1,780/mo in Visalia, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,360.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $16,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $111,000.0 difference in median home prices between Virginia Beach and Visalia translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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Making Your Decision: Virginia Beach vs Visalia

Choosing between Virginia Beach and Visalia involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.

Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between Virginia Beach and Visalia can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.