Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 457,066 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.4 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 9.1% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 58.4% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 13.4% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 8.9% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $427,121 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 25.0 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. 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, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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