Virginia BeachMoney Index August 2026
"Coastal calm, military steady."
Virginia Beach — Money Index — Key Facts
- 12% Savings Rate. Virginia Beach households save about 12% of income — close to the US average.
- Ranked #4 of 50. Virginia Beach ranks #4 of 50 on the PickYourBank US City Money Index — a blend of savings rate, income, affordability, happiness and work-life balance.
- 24-Minute Commute. Virginia Beach's one-way commute is just 24 minutes — 3 minutes shorter than the US average. That's ~184 hours a year behind the wheel instead of ~207.
- Median Household: $80k. Virginia Beach households earn about $80k — roughly 7% above the US average.
- Cost of Living: 103. Virginia Beach's cost of living sits at 103 — basically the US baseline (100 = US average).
- 22% of Land Is Parks. About 22% of Virginia Beach is parkland — one of the greenest big US cities. Free outdoor recreation quietly cuts your entertainment budget.
- Financial Stress: 46/100. Money stress in Virginia Beach sits at 46/100 — calmer than most big US cities.
- 64% Own Their Home. Only 64% of Virginia Beach households own — well below the US average of ~65%. Most residents are still renting.
- Happiness Score: 72/100. Residents rate life in Virginia Beach a 72/100 — one of the happiest big metros in the country.
- Work-Life Balance: 66/100. Virginia Beach scores 66/100 on work-life balance — one of the more livable big US metros.
A heavy military presence gives Virginia Beach unusually stable household incomes and benefits.
With a median household income of ~$80k, a 12% savings rate, and a cost-of-living index of 103, Virginia Beach ranks #4 of 50 US cities in our overall money index.
Green space & commute
Two underrated money levers: how long you spend getting to work, and how much nature you can reach without paying for it.
Virginia Beach is one of the greenest big US cities — about 22% of city land is parkland, far above the big-city median (~11%).
- • Source: Trust for Public Land ParkScore
- • Parks lower stress and lift nearby property values
- • Free recreation = zero-cost lifestyle upgrade
Virginia Beach's average commute (~24 min one-way) is close to the US average of ~27 minutes.
- • Source: US Census ACS mean one-way travel time
- • Owning a car runs ~$10k/year on average in the US
- • 10 fewer commute minutes/day ≈ 80 hours back per year
Typical Virginia Beach household budget
Modeled split of $100 of after-tax income, scaled to Virginia Beach's cost of living and savings rate.
How Virginia Beach feels about money
Four Virginia Beach money truths
Virginia Beach's savings rate runs 12% — automate even one extra percentage point and you compound serious money over a decade.
Virginia Beach runs above the US average, so price discipline matters more here than in most metros.
Owning unlocks fixed housing costs and equity. Renters here can still build wealth — just channel the difference into index funds and a high-yield savings account.
Virginia residents in Virginia Beach report a 72/100 happiness score with stress at 46/100 — money habits and lifestyle here track that mix closely.
"Virginia Beach is home to one of the largest US Navy bases on Earth."
Money lessons from Virginia Beach
- 1
Use TSP / military pensions fully
- 2
Beach living + low cost = rare combo
- 3
Lock in long-term housing early
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Virginia Beach money FAQ
Is Virginia Beach, Virginia a good city for saving money?+
Virginia Beach households save about 12% of income, with a happiness score of 72/100 and a work-life balance score of 66/100. A heavy military presence gives Virginia Beach unusually stable household incomes and benefits.
What is the median household income in Virginia Beach?+
The median household income in Virginia Beach, Virginia is roughly $80,000 per year. About 54% of households have a 3-month emergency fund.
How affordable is Virginia Beach?+
Virginia Beach's cost of living index sits at 103 (100 = US average). Homeownership stands at 64%.
How long is the average commute in Virginia Beach?+
Virginia Beach's average commute (~24 min one-way) is close to the US average of ~27 minutes.
How much urban green space does Virginia Beach have?+
Virginia Beach is one of the greenest big US cities — about 22% of city land is parkland, far above the big-city median (~11%).
What money personality fits Virginia Beach?+
The Steady Hand — Calm, consistent, and remarkably hard to rattle.
What's surprising about money in Virginia Beach?+
Virginia Beach is home to one of the largest US Navy bases on Earth.
