Tampa 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)
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
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
Tampa
393,389
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tampa
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Tampa
51.8%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Tampa
4.8%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Tampa
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.4 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 9.1% | Tampa + |
| White | 51.8% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 21.3% | 18.9% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 26.2% | 8.9% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tampa
$71,302
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tampa
$65,328
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Tampa
4.7%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Tampa
15.9%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,302 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,513 | $47,372 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.9% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.6% | 40.4% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Tampa
50.2%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $376,530 | $427,121 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
324
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Tampa, 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 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.5%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tampa
17.4%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tampa
15.9%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tampa
16.7%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.6%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 36.5% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
73.4°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
46.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tampa
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tampa
26.8 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tampa. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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