Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 457,066 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.4 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 9.1% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 7.8% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 8.9% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $427,121 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 36.5% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.7% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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