Tucson AZ 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)
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
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
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tucson
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Tucson
58.2%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Tucson
5.0%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Tucson
3.1%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Tucson
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,348 | 457,066 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.4 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 13.7% | 9.1% | Tucson + |
| White | 58.2% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 5.0% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 42.7% | 8.9% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tucson
$54,546
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Tucson
$31,152
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tucson
$59,120
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Tucson
6.4%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Tucson
18.8%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tucson
30.2%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $54,546 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,152 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.2% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Tucson
51.7%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,946 | $427,121 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
450
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
2150
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tucson
18.3%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tucson
15.7%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tucson
12.5%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.8% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
69.8°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
12.2 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tucson
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.9 min | 25.0 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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