Virginia Beach VA vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Virginia Beach
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Virginia Beach
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 115,546 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 37.5 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 8.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 61.6% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 18.9% | 1.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 7.2% | 4.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,685 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,372 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.4% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
Westminster
63.7%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,121 | $528,447 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.9% | 63.7% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 512 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3234 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 28.6 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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