Virginia Beach VA vs Washington DC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Virginia Beach
457,066
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Virginia Beach
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Virginia Beach
37.4
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Virginia Beach
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 61.6% | 39.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 18.9% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 7.2% | 4.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,685 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,372 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 14.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.4% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,121 | $580,173 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.9% | 41.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 398 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1999 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 24.0% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 32.8 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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