Home › Compare › Austin, TX vs Virginia Beach, VA

Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Virginia Beach, VA

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

1.0% Virginia Beach, VA is cheaper overall
8.5% 8.5% cheaper housing
3.1% 3.1% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 8.5% cheaper
Austin
118
Virginia Beach
108
🛒 Groceries 3.1% more
Austin
96
Virginia Beach
99
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Austin
98
Virginia Beach
100
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
Austin
97
Virginia Beach
98
⚡ Utilities ~Same
Austin
99
Virginia Beach
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category Austin, TX Virginia Beach, VA Difference
Overall Cost Index103102~Same
Housing1181088.5% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,450$1,3506.9% less
Median Home Price$425,000$340,00020.0% less
Groceries96993.1% more
Transportation98100~Same
Healthcare9798~Same
Utilities99100~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Austin, TX Virginia Beach, VA
State Income TaxNone (0%)5.75% (top)
State Sales Tax6.25%5.30%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%0.74%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Austin, TX
$85,000
Median household income
Virginia Beach, VA
$76,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Virginia Beach costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Virginia Beach to maintain your Austin lifestyle.

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: Austin (103) vs Virginia Beach (102). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Austin3.2%
Virginia Beach3.5%
Job Growth (YoY)
Austin4.1%
Virginia Beach2.3%
Top Industries
AustinTech, Government, Healthcare
Virginia BeachMilitary, Tourism, Logistics

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Austin28 min
Virginia Beach25 min
Walk Score
Austin41
Virginia Beach22
Air Quality (AQI)
Austin38
Virginia Beach34
Avg Temperature
Austin68°F
Virginia Beach60°F
Population
Austin979,882
Virginia Beach459,470

Moving from Austin to Virginia Beach?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers. Compare prices and save up to 40% on your move.

Get My Free Moving Estimate →
✓ 500+ vetted movers ✓ Free quotes in 24hrs ✓ No obligation

Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Austin and Virginia Beach → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Virginia Beach →

Compare Other Cities

Austin vs Denver → Austin vs Nashville → Austin vs Raleigh → Virginia Beach vs Portland → Virginia Beach vs Phoenix → Virginia Beach vs Chicago →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin or Virginia Beach cheaper to live in?+
Virginia Beach is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 8.5%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Virginia Beach?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,450/month in Austin and $1,350/month in Virginia Beach — a difference of about $100 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Austin or Virginia Beach?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Virginia has a state income tax of 5.75% (top) and sales tax of 5.30%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Austin to Virginia Beach?+
Median household income in Austin is $85,000 compared to $76,000 in Virginia Beach. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Austin vs Virginia Beach?+
The median home price in Austin is $425,000 versus $340,000 in Virginia Beach — a difference of $85,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Virginia averages 0.74%.