Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Virginia Beach, VA (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Virginia Beach

Virginia
117

Austin is 15% more expensive than Virginia Beach.

$1,655/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,649/mo ≈ Same
$91,461/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$90,685/yr ≈ Same
$512,700 ↑ 40%
Home Value
$366,300 ↓ 29%
$1,747/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,704/mo ↓ 2%
967,862
Population
457,066

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Virginia Beach, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 117 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $776/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $366,300 in Virginia Beach.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Virginia Beach — common questions

Is Austin or Virginia Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Virginia Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 117 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Virginia Beach?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Virginia Beach it's $1,649/month — a difference of $6/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Virginia Beach?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $90,685 in Virginia Beach. Median household income is $776/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Virginia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Virginia Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Virginia Beach has a cost index of 117 with rent of $1,649/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Virginia Beach details →

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