Tallahassee FL 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)
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
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
Tallahassee
199,696
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tallahassee
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Tallahassee
8.0%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Tallahassee
50.7%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Tallahassee
4.0%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Tallahassee
8.6%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Tallahassee
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 37.4 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.0% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 50.7% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 35.7% | 18.9% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tallahassee
$55,931
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Tallahassee
$35,704
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tallahassee
$65,328
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Tallahassee
6.5%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Tallahassee
23.2%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,931 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,704 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.0% | 40.4% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Tallahassee
39.5%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,664 | $427,121 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.5% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
324
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tallahassee
20.3%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
13.2%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
16.7%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
12.2%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.1% | 36.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.8% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tallahassee
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.0 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tallahassee. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Tallahassee, FLLos Angeles, CA vs Tallahassee, FLChicago, IL vs Tallahassee, FLHouston, TX vs Tallahassee, FLPhoenix, AZ vs Tallahassee, FLPhiladelphia, PA vs Tallahassee, FL