Home › Compare › San Antonio, TX vs Virginia Beach, VA

Cost of Living: San Antonio, 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.

13.3% Virginia Beach, VA is more expensive overall
31.7% 31.7% more expensive housing
7.6% 7.6% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 31.7% more
San Antonio
82
Virginia Beach
108
🛒 Groceries 7.6% more
San Antonio
92
Virginia Beach
99
🚗 Transportation 6.4% more
San Antonio
94
Virginia Beach
100
🏥 Healthcare 5.4% more
San Antonio
93
Virginia Beach
98
⚡ Utilities ~Same
San Antonio
101
Virginia Beach
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Antonio, TX Virginia Beach, VA Difference
Overall Cost Index9010213.3% more
Housing8210831.7% more
Median 1BR Rent$1,050$1,35028.6% more
Median Home Price$255,000$340,00033.3% more
Groceries92997.6% more
Transportation941006.4% more
Healthcare93985.4% more
Utilities101100~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Antonio, 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

San Antonio, TX
$58,000
Median household income
Virginia Beach, VA
$76,000
Median household income
✅ Good news: Income in Virginia Beach outpaces the cost difference, so your purchasing power should hold up.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

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

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Based on overall cost index: San Antonio (90) vs Virginia Beach (102). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Antonio4.2%
Virginia Beach3.5%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Antonio2.6%
Virginia Beach2.3%
Top Industries
San AntonioMilitary, Healthcare, Tourism
Virginia BeachMilitary, Tourism, Logistics

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Antonio25 min
Virginia Beach25 min
Walk Score
San Antonio36
Virginia Beach22
Air Quality (AQI)
San Antonio42
Virginia Beach34
Avg Temperature
San Antonio69°F
Virginia Beach60°F
Population
San Antonio1,451,853
Virginia Beach459,470

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Antonio 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

San Antonio vs Austin → San Antonio vs Denver → San Antonio vs Nashville → Virginia Beach vs Raleigh → Virginia Beach vs Portland → Virginia Beach vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Antonio or Virginia Beach cheaper to live in?+
San Antonio is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 31.7%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Antonio vs Virginia Beach?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,050/month in San Antonio and $1,350/month in Virginia Beach — a difference of about $300 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Antonio 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 San Antonio to Virginia Beach?+
Median household income in San Antonio is $58,000 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 San Antonio vs Virginia Beach?+
The median home price in San Antonio is $255,000 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%.