Home › Compare › Virginia Beach, VA vs Cincinnati, OH

Cost of Living: Virginia Beach, VA vs Cincinnati, OH

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

9.8% Cincinnati, OH is cheaper overall
25.9% 25.9% cheaper housing
3.0% 3.0% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 25.9% cheaper
Virginia Beach
108
Cincinnati
80
🛒 Groceries 3.0% cheaper
Virginia Beach
99
Cincinnati
96
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Virginia Beach
100
Cincinnati
100
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
Virginia Beach
98
Cincinnati
96
⚡ Utilities ~Same
Virginia Beach
100
Cincinnati
98

Detailed Breakdown

Category Virginia Beach, VA Cincinnati, OH Difference
Overall Cost Index102929.8% less
Housing1088025.9% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,350$1,05022.2% less
Median Home Price$340,000$215,00036.8% less
Groceries99963.0% less
Transportation100100~Same
Healthcare9896~Same
Utilities10098~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Virginia Beach, VA Cincinnati, OH
State Income Tax5.75% (top)3.50% (top)
State Sales Tax5.30%5.75%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.74%1.41%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Virginia Beach, VA
$76,000
Median household income
Cincinnati, OH
$58,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati to maintain your Virginia Beach lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Virginia Beach (102) vs Cincinnati (92). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Virginia Beach3.5%
Cincinnati3.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
Virginia Beach2.3%
Cincinnati2.4%
Top Industries
Virginia BeachMilitary, Tourism, Logistics
CincinnatiManufacturing, Finance, Healthcare

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Virginia Beach25 min
Cincinnati24 min
Walk Score
Virginia Beach22
Cincinnati50
Air Quality (AQI)
Virginia Beach34
Cincinnati44
Avg Temperature
Virginia Beach60°F
Cincinnati54°F
Population
Virginia Beach459,470
Cincinnati309,317

Moving from Virginia Beach to Cincinnati?

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Planning Your Move?

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

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

Compare Other Cities

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Virginia Beach or Cincinnati cheaper to live in?+
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 25.9%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Virginia Beach vs Cincinnati?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,350/month in Virginia Beach and $1,050/month in Cincinnati — a difference of about $300 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Virginia Beach or Cincinnati?+
Virginia has a state income tax of 5.75% (top) and sales tax of 5.30%. Ohio has a state income tax of 3.50% (top) and sales tax of 5.75%. 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 Virginia Beach to Cincinnati?+
Median household income in Virginia Beach is $76,000 compared to $58,000 in Cincinnati. 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 Virginia Beach vs Cincinnati?+
The median home price in Virginia Beach is $340,000 versus $215,000 in Cincinnati — a difference of $125,000. Property tax rates also differ: Virginia averages 0.74% while Ohio averages 1.41%.