Virginia Beach VA vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Virginia Beach
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Virginia Beach
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 84,155 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 38.2 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 61.6% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 18.9% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 7.2% | 3.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 5.0% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Westland
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Westland
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,685 | $62,216 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,372 | $33,816 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,052 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 13.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.4% | 21.7% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
Westland
61.1%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,121 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.9% | 61.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
1726
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 471 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Westland
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.0% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.6% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westland, MI | 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 +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 27.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. 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, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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