San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
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 Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Jose
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
San Jose
38.1
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
San Jose
29.0%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
San Jose
2.9%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
San Jose
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 457,066 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 41.6% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| White | 29.0% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 2.9% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 38.6% | 7.2% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 30.9% | 8.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
San Jose
4.7%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,565 | $90,685 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $63,253 | $47,372 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 8.4% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 40.4% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Jose
$1,452,609
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
San Jose
56.0%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,452,609 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.0% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
503
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
2388
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.1%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 36.5% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.8% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 16.7% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.6% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.1% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
61.5°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
14.9 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Jose
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Jose
30.4 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Jose, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Jose, CAChicago, IL vs San Jose, CAHouston, TX vs San Jose, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Jose, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Jose, CA