Virginia Beach VA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Virginia Beach
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Virginia Beach
9.1%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Virginia Beach
18.9%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Virginia Beach
8.9%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Virginia Beach
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 119,508 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 40.2 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 61.6% | 44.0% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 18.9% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 7.2% | 2.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
West Palm Beach
$44,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,685 | $69,261 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,372 | $44,508 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 14.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.4% | 37.6% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Virginia Beach
$427,121
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,121 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.9% | 50.2% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
1726
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
36.5%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Virginia Beach
16.7%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
15.6%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 16.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Virginia Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
Tie
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 25.0 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in West Palm Beach. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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