CountyScore

Virginia Beach city

Virginia · VA

#114 in Virginia
63.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Virginia Beach city, Virginia

Virginia Beach exceeds national baseline

Virginia Beach's composite score of 60.7 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it ahead of most U.S. cities and counties. However, it scores notably lower than its Virginia peers, reflecting the cost pressures of one of the state's largest and most developed urban areas.

Below average for Virginia

Virginia Beach's composite score of 60.7 falls below Virginia's state average of 70.3, ranking it among the lower-performing counties in this sample. The gap reflects housing affordability challenges that come with being a major military and commercial hub.

Higher incomes offset housing costs

Virginia Beach's income score of 42.6 reflects the highest median household income in the sample at $90,685, driven by military, aerospace, and technology employment. The tax score of 79.8 and effective rate of 0.800% provide reasonable tax relief for higher earners.

Housing costs bite hard on budgets

Virginia Beach's cost score of 50.9—the lowest in the sample—reflects median home values of $366,300 and rents averaging $1,649/month, the highest profiled. While high incomes help offset these costs, housing consumes a larger share of household budgets here than anywhere else analyzed.

For high-earning professionals and families

Virginia Beach suits well-compensated professionals, military officers, and tech workers whose incomes can sustain higher housing costs in exchange for urban amenities and economic opportunity. It's less ideal for fixed-income retirees or cost-conscious families.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax79.8Cost50.9SafetyComing SoonHealth78.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome42.6Risk42.2WaterComing Soon
🏛79.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠50.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼42.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡42.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Virginia Beach city with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Pinal County
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63.5
Median income: $77,588
Rockdale County
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63.5
Median income: $72,349
Logan County
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63.5
Median income: $64,188
Perry County
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63.5
Median income: $59,286
Lyon County
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63.5
Median income: $59,078

Deep Dives

Virginia Beach city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Virginia Beach city

via TaxByCounty

Virginia Beach taxes exceed national median

Virginia Beach's effective tax rate of 0.800% is one of the highest among Virginia municipalities and exceeds the national median rate. Homeowners here with the median value of $366,300 pay $2,929 annually—just $239 more than the national median, but Virginia Beach's higher home values mean higher absolute costs.

Virginia Beach ranks among state's highest taxed

At 0.800% effective rate, Virginia Beach exceeds Virginia's state average of 0.671% by a significant margin, placing it among the state's highest property tax burdens. The city's median annual tax of $2,929 is 49% above the state median of $1,960, reflecting both the city's premium real estate and elevated tax rate.

Virginia Beach taxes far exceed rural areas

Virginia Beach's 0.800% rate dwarfs rural counties like Sussex (0.541%) and Washington (0.514%), and even exceeds Warren County's 0.586%. A homeowner in Tazewell pays $718 on a median home; that same relative rate in Virginia Beach would mean $2,900+, reflecting the city's urban tax model.

Virginia Beach averages $2,929 yearly

On Virginia Beach's median home value of $366,300, homeowners pay approximately $2,929 in annual property taxes. With mortgage adjustments, that figure holds near $2,876, while owners outright pay slightly higher at $3,131.

Challenge your assessment if it's inflated

Virginia Beach residents should verify that their property valuations reflect current market conditions, as assessments can lag or overestimate value. The city's appeals process is free and can recover years of overpayment if your assessment is found excessive.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Virginia Beach city

via CostByCounty

Virginia Beach: costly but well-paid

Virginia Beach's 21.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the state average of 18.6% and leans high by national standards, with median rent at $1,649 monthly. However, the median household income of $90,685 runs well above the national average of $74,755, partially offsetting the higher costs.

Virginia's most expensive rental market

Virginia Beach ranks as Virginia's priciest city for renters and owners alike, with median rent ($1,649) nearly 45% above the state average of $1,140. Home values of $366,300 far exceed any other county in this comparison, reflecting the city's urban and military economic advantages.

Premium pricing, premium wages

Virginia Beach's $1,649 rent towers over rural Tazewell ($738) and Washington ($832), while home values of $366,300 more than double Warren County's $315,800. Yet Virginia Beach residents earn $90,685 median income—the highest in this group—which helps absorb those elevated costs.

Renters squeezed more than owners

Renters spend $1,649 monthly (21.8% of income) while homeowners face $1,785 in monthly costs for properties valued at $366,300. The divergence suggests Virginia Beach's rental stock is newer or more competitive, pushing rents higher relative to ownership costs.

Virginia Beach: expensive, rewarding

Virginia Beach demands the highest housing costs in this analysis, but offers correspondingly high incomes and urban opportunities unavailable elsewhere. Relocators should expect to spend roughly 22% of earnings on rent—acceptable only if job prospects or lifestyle factors justify the premium pricing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Virginia Beach city

via IncomeByCounty

Virginia Beach leads the income pack

Virginia Beach's median household income of $90,685 significantly exceeds the national median of $74,755, a 21.3% premium that ranks the city in the top tier nationally. The military presence and thriving tech sector drive this robust income advantage.

Virginia's highest-income locality

Virginia Beach's $90,685 median household income tops Virginia's state average of $74,957 by $15,728, making it the highest-earning locality in this analysis. The city's economic strength reflects its role as a major military and commercial hub.

Income advantage across all peer counties

Virginia Beach's $90,685 income dominates comparisons, exceeding Warren County ($84,331) by $6,354 and Surry County ($71,458) by nearly $19,000. No other locality in the sample comes close to matching the city's earning power.

High incomes offset elevated housing costs

Virginia Beach's rent-to-income ratio of 21.8% is elevated compared to Surry County (14.4%), yet residents earn substantially more in absolute dollars. The median home value of $366,300 is the highest in the sample, but robust household incomes make it accessible to local buyers.

Wealth-building at scale in Virginia Beach

With median household income at $90,685, Virginia Beach residents are well-positioned for aggressive wealth building: maxing out retirement accounts, diversifying into taxable investment accounts, and exploring real estate leverage. Professional financial planning and tax optimization strategies can significantly accelerate wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Virginia Beach city

via HealthByCounty

Virginia Beach leads on health outcomes

At 78.7 years, Virginia Beach residents live nearly 4 years longer than the U.S. average of 74.5 years, the highest life expectancy among these eight communities. Only 13.6% report poor or fair health, demonstrating the healthiest population profile in this group.

Virginia's health success story

Virginia Beach's 78.7-year life expectancy exceeds the state average of 75.1 years by 3.6 years, anchoring the healthiest end of Virginia's outcomes spectrum. The city's 7.2% uninsured rate sits just below the state average, ensuring broad healthcare access for its large population.

Virginia Beach dominates regional health

Virginia Beach's life expectancy of 78.7 years outpaces every peer by at least 4.7 years—Washington County trails at 74.3 years and Tazewell at 70.5 years. The city maintains abundant providers: 71 primary care and 273 mental health per 100K, far above rural county averages.

Resources and results align perfectly

Virginia Beach combines robust primary care (71 per 100K) and mental health capacity (273 per 100K) with a healthy population—only 13.6% report poor/fair health. This urban center's scale enables investment in preventive care and specialist services that rural counties struggle to support.

Stay healthy with continuous coverage

Virginia Beach's 92.8% insurance rate is the best in this group, but 7.2% of residents remain uninsured—don't be left behind. Renew or enroll in Virginia's marketplace to keep the momentum of this thriving community going.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Virginia Beach city

via RiskByCounty

Virginia Beach faces elevated hazards

Virginia Beach's composite risk score of 57.86 reflects a Relatively Low rating but indicates above-average exposure compared to typical U.S. counties. The city's coastal location and population density create multiple overlapping disaster vulnerabilities.

Among Virginia's highest-risk areas

Virginia Beach's score of 57.86 substantially exceeds the state average of 33.27, ranking among Virginia's most disaster-exposed localities. Only a few peer counties in the state face comparable combined hazard levels.

Westmoreland and Sussex face lower risk

Virginia Beach (57.86) experiences notably higher composite risk than nearby Westmoreland County (37.37) and Sussex County (13.23). The city's coastal geography and urban density distinguish it from interior Virginia counties.

Hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding loom

Virginia Beach residents confront the state's highest hurricane risk (88.94), combined with significant tornado exposure (66.67) and flood risk (67.40). These three hazards require serious preparation and insurance planning for city residents.

Robust insurance is non-negotiable

Virginia Beach homeowners must secure comprehensive coverage including flood insurance and windstorm protection; standard policies often exclude hurricane damage. Annual policy review and home hardening against high winds provide essential protection for this high-exposure city.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.