Home › Compare › San Francisco, CA vs Virginia Beach, VA

Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA 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.

31.1% Virginia Beach, VA is cheaper overall
48.6% 48.6% cheaper housing
13.9% 13.9% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 48.6% cheaper
San Francisco
210
Virginia Beach
108
🛒 Groceries 13.9% cheaper
San Francisco
115
Virginia Beach
99
🚗 Transportation 21.9% cheaper
San Francisco
128
Virginia Beach
100
🏥 Healthcare 16.9% cheaper
San Francisco
118
Virginia Beach
98
⚡ Utilities 7.4% cheaper
San Francisco
108
Virginia Beach
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Francisco, CA Virginia Beach, VA Difference
Overall Cost Index14810231.1% less
Housing21010848.6% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,000$1,35055.0% less
Median Home Price$1,250,000$340,00072.8% less
Groceries1159913.9% less
Transportation12810021.9% less
Healthcare1189816.9% less
Utilities1081007.4% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Francisco, CA Virginia Beach, VA
State Income Tax13.30% (top)5.75% (top)
State Sales Tax7.25%5.30%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%0.74%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Francisco, CA
$130,000
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 San Francisco lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Francisco (148) vs Virginia Beach (102). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Francisco3.8%
Virginia Beach3.5%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Francisco3.2%
Virginia Beach2.3%
Top Industries
San FranciscoTech, Biotech, Finance
Virginia BeachMilitary, Tourism, Logistics

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Francisco34 min
Virginia Beach25 min
Walk Score
San Francisco87
Virginia Beach22
Air Quality (AQI)
San Francisco42
Virginia Beach34
Avg Temperature
San Francisco57°F
Virginia Beach60°F
Population
San Francisco808,437
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 Francisco 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco 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 48.6%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Francisco vs Virginia Beach?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,000/month in San Francisco and $1,350/month in Virginia Beach — a difference of about $1,650 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Francisco or Virginia Beach?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. 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 Francisco to Virginia Beach?+
Median household income in San Francisco is $130,000 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 Francisco vs Virginia Beach?+
The median home price in San Francisco is $1,250,000 versus $340,000 in Virginia Beach — a difference of $910,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Virginia averages 0.74%.