New York NY 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
New York
35.9%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 457,066 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 9.1% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 22.7% | 18.9% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 7.2% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 8.9% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | New York, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $47,372 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,581 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 40.4% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | New York, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | New York, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | New York, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 36.5% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.7% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.1% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | New York, NY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, 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 434 in New York. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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