Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 457,066 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.4 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 27.5% | 18.9% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 8.9% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $47,372 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 40.4% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 36.5% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.8% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.7% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.6% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.1% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 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 398 in Raleigh. 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, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Raleigh, NCLos Angeles, CA vs Raleigh, NCChicago, IL vs Raleigh, NCHouston, TX vs Raleigh, NCPhoenix, AZ vs Raleigh, NCPhiladelphia, PA vs Raleigh, NC