Austin TX vs Virginia Beach VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Austin
59.9%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 457,066 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.4 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 9.1% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 7.5% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 7.2% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 8.9% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $90,685 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $47,372 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 40.4% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.5% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.8% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.1% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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