Virginia Beach VA vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Virginia Beach
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Virginia Beach
37.4
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Virginia Beach
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 102,558 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 61.6% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 18.9% | 12.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 7.2% | 2.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,685 | $58,568 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,372 | $31,987 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 17.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.4% | 25.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,121 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.9% | 57.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 16.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 28.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Virginia Beach, VALos Angeles, CA vs Virginia Beach, VAChicago, IL vs Virginia Beach, VAHouston, TX vs Virginia Beach, VAPhoenix, AZ vs Virginia Beach, VAPhiladelphia, PA vs Virginia Beach, VA