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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Virginia Beach

Virginia
117

Houston is 25% cheaper than Virginia Beach.

$1,313/mo ↓ 20%
Median Rent
$1,649/mo ↑ 26%
$62,894/yr ↓ 31%
Median Income
$90,685/yr ↑ 44%
$253,400 ↓ 31%
Home Value
$366,300 ↑ 45%
$1,316/mo ↓ 23%
Owner Costs
$1,704/mo ↑ 29%
2,300,419
Population
457,066

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Virginia Beach, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 117 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $336/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $4,032/year.

Median household income is $27,791/year higher in Virginia Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $366,300 in Virginia Beach.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Virginia Beach — common questions

Is Houston or Virginia Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 117 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Virginia Beach?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Virginia Beach it's $1,649/month — a difference of $336/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Virginia Beach?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $90,685 in Virginia Beach. Median household income is $27,791/year higher in Virginia Beach.
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 Houston or Virginia Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/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.
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