San Diego CA 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 457,066 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 37.4 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 9.1% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 5.7% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 7.2% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 8.9% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $90,685 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $47,372 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 40.4% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 36.5% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.8% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.7% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.1% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 503 in San Diego. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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