Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Orem
1.9%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 37.4 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 9.1% | Orem + |
| White | 77.1% | 61.6% | Orem + |
| Black | 1.9% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 8.9% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 4.3% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 36.5% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.8% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 15.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 12.1% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Orem, UT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 25.0 min | Orem + |
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 245 in Orem. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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