Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk cost of living
Prices in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area run at 97.9 against a national average of 100, ranking it #116 of 387 metros. Rents there sit at 99.8.
What drives the number
Prices in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk run at 97.9 where the national average is 100, so about 2.1 per cent below the country as a whole. It ranks #116 of 387 metro areas. Against Virginia as a whole it is 3.2 points less expensive, which is the unusual direction, and it means the expensive part of the state is somewhere else.
The parts move together here rather than pulling against each other: goods at 96.8, rents at 99.8, other services at 89.6. That is less common than it sounds. In most places rents sit well away from the other two, and the overall figure is really a housing figure in disguise.
A salary here goes further than the same salary somewhere at 100. Divide by 97.9 and multiply by 100 to get the nationally comparable figure, and it will come out higher than the headline.
The vertical line is the national average of 100. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities, SARPP, 2024.
What the biggest local jobs are really worth
The same pay buys different amounts in different places, so a salary quoted in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk is not comparable to one quoted elsewhere until it is divided by the local parity. These are the occupations that employ the most people here, with the quoted median alongside what that median is worth at national prices.
| Occupation | Employed | Median pay | Worth nationally | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 22,220 | $27,960 | $28,560 | $30,480 |
| Retail Salespersons | 20,980 | $29,790 | $30,429 | $34,580 |
| Cashiers | 17,380 | $28,760 | $29,377 | $31,190 |
| Registered Nurses | 16,270 | $81,170 | $82,911 | $93,600 |
| General and Operations Managers | 15,990 | $103,190 | $105,403 | $102,950 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 13,550 | $36,910 | $37,702 | $33,760 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 12,660 | $34,810 | $35,557 | $37,090 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 11,790 | $31,490 | $32,165 | $35,930 |
Pay from the BLS metro survey, adjusted by dividing by the metro parity of 97.9.
Nearby metro areas
| Metro area | All items | Rents | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 108.9 | 151.1 | #15 |
| Charlottesville | 99.1 | 107.0 | #97 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 98.2 | 103.5 | #111 |
| Richmond | 97.9 | 99.1 | #115 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 97.6 | 98.9 | #119 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 97.3 | 97.6 | #122 |
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk: common questions
Is Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk expensive?
Prices are 2.1% below the national average, a parity of 97.9 where the country is 100. It ranks #116 of the 387 metro areas BEA measures. Against Virginia as a whole it is 3.2 points less expensive.
What salary do you need in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
The median worker there earns $48,430, which buys what $49,469 buys nationally once local prices are taken into account. Comparing a salary offer between cities without this adjustment is comparing nothing useful.
Is housing the reason?
Usually. Rents here are at 99.8 against goods at 96.8. Goods barely vary between American cities because most are shipped and priced nationally; housing varies enormously, and it dominates any cost of living comparison.