Virginia Beach at a Glance
At the confluence of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach is a city that holds a unique place in the coastal heart of the U.S. This historic, coastal wonderland is part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, where seven cities form a rich, cultural center on the Mid-Atlantic Coast.
Home to the Naval Air Station Oceana and the Joint Expeditionary Base, the military is a central part of life in Virginia Beach, and it’s also a vital sector of the economy. But the city has a diverse job market, so residents moving here for a new career will have a wide range of industries to work in, with many large companies to choose from.
The city’s mild climate and spectacular natural resources are a lure for vacationing urbanites and landlocked residents from around the country. Over the last dozen years, many of those visitors seem to have found the city of 454,000 too irresistible to leave, and Virginia Beach’s population has expanded by more than 15,000 in that time. Residents and tourists have access to 35 miles of sandy coastline, where you’ll find a busy boardwalk scene in town and relaxing nature preserves away from the city center.
One of the biggest practical draws to this beach town is its affordability. The cost-of-living index for Virginia Beach is just 101, compared to pricey coastal enclaves in the Northeast and Northwest, like Boston (148), San Francisco (169.5) and New York City (227.8).
If you’re looking for an affordable, family-friendly East Coast city with a fun, Southern spirit, Virginia Beach may be the place for you. This moving guide will give you an inside look at the weather, popular neighborhoods, the job market and the best things to do, indoors and out.
Virginia Beach’s Climate
Nestled into the Chesapeake Bay region of the Mid-Atlantic, Virginia Beach has a truly niche climate. This East Coast city experiences four distinct seasons, but it’s shielded from the harshest heat that scorches South Florida and the worst of wintry weather that cities to the north bear the brunt of.
Summer temperatures average in the mid-to-upper 80s F, with ocean breezes cooling the nighttime air into the upper 60s F and low 70s F. You can expect temperatures to start feeling summery by mid-May, and things won’t really cool off until October. Virginia Beach receives a good amount of rain throughout the year — 49 inches on average — with around three inches falling from October to May. In the summer months, the frequent, late afternoon thunderstorms bring an additional two to three inches of cooling precipitation, which gardens and humans appreciate equally.
Spring and fall are blissfully mild. The average temperature in March and November is above 50°F, and highs creep into the low 60s during the day.
In the wintertime, you will, indeed, see freezing temperatures, and even an occasional snowflake. January averages 3.2 inches of snow, but you’re unlikely to see more than 6 inches a year, so there isn’t much concern for accumulation. Temperatures average in the mid-30s F from December through February, and daytime highs are in the low 50s.
There are some things you’ll have to watch out for, weather-wise. Hurricanes are an ever-increasing threat to the entire East Coast, from Miami to Maine, and flooding can also be a problem, particularly in low-lying areas and anywhere near Virginia Beach’s many bays. The first hurricane ever recorded on the Virginia Coastline slammed into the shore way back in 1635, but more recent history records 13 hurricanes on Virginia’s shoreline in the 21st century. Some have brought only strong winds and much-needed rain, as Hurricane Hanna did in 2008, while others have been calamitous, like Hurricane Isabel, which cost the city $1 billion in damages. Such are the hazards of having the Atlantic Ocean as your backyard.
Cost of Living in Virginia Beach
Housing
If you’re looking for a Southern city on the Atlantic, the price of real estate in Virginia Beach may appeal to you. Less expensive than trendy Miami and a bit pricier than historic Savannah, the median home value in Virginia Beach is $343,700 and the median gross rent is $1,994. The cost to own a home here is only a tad higher than the state average, but it is more than $60,000 above the national average.
Utilities and Grocery
But housing isn’t the only expense to consider if you’re thinking of moving to Virginia Beach. The city’s cost of living is just above average (101, according to the CREC), and the two factors driving costs up are utilities and miscellaneous goods & services. Savannah’s cost of living is 91.4 compared to the U.S. average of 100. Jacksonville’s score is 93.2, Charleston and Atlanta score 97.3, and Miami’s is 117.9. In Virginia Beach, the cost of groceries in the city is about average, and you can expect to save a bit on the cost of healthcare.
So, what’s considered a living wage in Virginia Beach? Well, if you’re moving to the city solo, you’ll need to earn at least $24.07/hour to keep up with essential expenses. Food will cost you around $4,540/year, and Internet and mobile charges will total around $1,518. If you’re moving to Virginia Beach with a working spouse and two children, you’ll each need to earn $27.27/hour and budget $13,344 for food, $2,097 for Internet and mobile services and a staggering $22,458 for childcare.
Transportation
It costs less to get around in Virginia Beach than elsewhere in the country. Transportation costs in this oceanfront town score only 95.4 on the cost-of-living index, and the region has a decent public transportation system, Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), which comprises bus, ferry, light rail and trolley services. A standard adult fare is $2.00, a day pass is $4.50, and a 30-day pass is $70.00. Children ride free, and discounted fares are available.
Job and Education Opportunities in Virginia Beach
Job Market
It’s no secret that Virginia Beach is a military-centric city, and while the government does employ more individuals than any other industry here (158,800), it’s hardly the only game in town. Trade, transportation and utilities; education and health services; and professional and business services employ an almost equal number of individuals in the region, anywhere from 121,900–131,000. Some businesses in these industries do support the nation’s military operations, while others serve purely civilian needs.
With millions of visitors each year, tourism is also a major driver of Virginia Beach’s economy. More than 96,000 workers are employed in the leisure and hospitality industry in the area.
Between May 2023 and May 2024, all industries in Virginia Beach saw growth except for the Information sector, which contracted by 2.2%. Education and health services expanded by nearly 6%, and mining, logging and construction saw close to a 9% increase in jobs. This positive trend led to a drop in unemployment in all areas in and around Virginia Beach, but the lowest rates were still in the city proper, where the unemployment rate dropped to 2.5%.
The Naval Air Station Oceana and the Joint Expeditionary Base employ more than 15,000 area residents, but the third-largest employer in the area is Sentara Healthcare, which has 4,900 employees. Insurance giant GEICO, power tool manufacturer STIHL, and Lockheed Martin are three of the major corporate powerhouses in the area. The Penrod Company’s corporate headquarters are in Virginia Beach; it supplies many of the nation’s manufacturers and homebuilders with plywood and hardware, especially hinges. Liberty Tax Services also has its headquarters in the city, as does Architectural Graphics.
Hourly wages in the region are a bit lower than in other areas of the country. The average earnings for all occupations are only $28.86/hour, compared to the U.S. average of $31.48/hour. That said, total household income is higher in VB, and the average household income in the city of Virginia Beach is $87,544.
Education
As the largest district in the state, the public school system in Virginia Beach provides quality programs to area schoolchildren. City schools serve a diverse student body that is 45.8% Caucasian/White, 22.7% Black/African American, 13.6% Hispanic/Latino, 10.9% multiracial, 6.2% Asian and 0.2% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.
After high school, Virginia Beach grads will have access to some of the best colleges in the country. William & Mary is just 60 miles from home. UVA, one of the nation’s finest public universities, is just a three-hour drive away in Charlottesville. And schools in the D.C. area, like Georgetown, American University and George Mason, are only 200 miles north. Closer to home, Norfolk State, Virginia Wesleyan, Regent University, Hampton University, Christopher Newport University and Old Dominion offer a range of options to students who want to stay in the Virginia Beach area.
Finding Your New Home in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach has seven distinct districts and endless appeal with beaches, bays and shady parks.
Those wanting to live near the center of the action will want to check out Oceanfront. Trendy condos overlooking the water offer immediate access to the Atlantic surf and the Boardwalk scene. Just a few blocks in from the hotels and amusement park on the shoreline, you’ll find cultural hubs like the ViBe Creative District, where the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art is located. In addition, fun waterside restaurants and bars like Waterman’s will be just moments from your door. But you will need to love a crowd to live in this tourist-centric area, so introverts may want to look elsewhere, like Sandbridge, if they are seeking solitude with an ocean view.
Sandbridge Beach is at the northeast edge of Shipps Bay, on the slender, peninsular arm that reaches down into the waters off North Carolina. Residents in this posh, less populated area have easy access to nature preserves in the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park, where you can share the sunset with fewer sun-lotioned snowbirds and more native shorebirds. Real estate comes at quite a premium in this quiet area, and you can expect price tags of $400,000+ for a condo, half a million for a lot and $1.5+ million for a single-family.
When you’ve all had a little too much fun in the sun, take a retail retreat at the shops at Hilltop. There are 120+ destinations awaiting you at this shopping oasis in North Virginia Beach — from favorite local chains, like Baker’s Crust Artisan Kitchen to NYC imports like Ess-a-Bagel. Real estate in this inland, suburban district ranges from affordable townhomes and condos to roomy single families.
The Great Neck region of Virginia Beach encompasses a wide swath between Broad Bay and Lynnhaven Bay. Country clubs, parks and marinas are just a few of the amenities you’ll find in this spendy, northeastern region. The sands of First Landing Beach are only a short drive up the Great Neck Road, but when you can’t get to the waves, you can still enjoy the spoils of the surf at dining spots like the Coastal Grill. Get your morning grind at the Lynnhaven Coffee Company or play hooky all day on the Saltwater Paddling Trail, which can take you from nearby Pleasure House Point Park to St. Mary’s, Georgia. Well, you might need more than a day to paddle all 800 miles of the trail.
Unique Experiences in VB
Activities
Virginia Beach is no bum when it comes to fun and entertainment. For the past 50 years, the Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend has been the city’s biggest single event, drawing professional sand sculptors, surfers and spectators to the crowded shores. King Neptune, a 34-ft.-tall statue of the sea god, presides over the annual festivities. Although mere mortals may flock to headline concerts by Everclear and Bruce Hornsby, the King seems most partial to the Dock Dogs competition, viewing the acrobatic canines as his “land dolphins.”
On the city’s northern tip, Cape Henry, First Landing State Park is an Arcadian spot for swimming, hiking and camping. Bring your boat and catch your own blue crabs for dinner in the Narrows or pack provisions for a screen-free night in a rustic cabin.
The Back Bay Wildlife Refuge is another of the area’s escapist paradises. This southeastern region is a dreamscape for kayakers and anyone looking for a reprieve from tourists. On the motorized nature tour, you’ll spy many interesting birds and meet every mosquito living in Virginia, some for the first and last time.
When you’ve had your fill of herons and cranes, see birds of another variety at the Military Aviation Museum. Feast your eyes on the Supermarine Spitfire MK IXE (aka, the Airplane that Saved the World) or get a closer look at the museum’s vintage aircraft — on board with a real pilot — flying over the shoreline in a 1941 Boeing Stearman PT-17 Kaydet! This ride is not for the faint of heart.
Those who want to learn more about the aquatic life of Virginia Beach should pay a visit to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, which offers hands-on experiences with threatened species, like sea turtles, and gives you an almost-too-close-for-comfort meet-and-greet with the sharpest residents of the Norfolk Canyon, sand tiger sharks.
If your crew is full of land shredders rather than sharp-toothed sea dwellers, you’ll want to check out Mount Trashmore Park. This repurposed mountain of refuse turned a landfill into a 60 x 800’ xeriscape, surrounded by 24,000 square feet of half-piping, vert ramping, rail-grinding action. Inline skaters and BMX riders are also welcome to show off their tricks.
Shopping and Entertainment
The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is undoubtedly a tourist hotspot, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a cool hangout for full-time residents. The quiet morning hours are perfect for a sunrise jog, after which you can refuel at VLOVE with a pineapple-mango smoothie and some bacon avocado toast.
But once the kids are awake, all bets are off. Grommet Island Park has a fully accessible playground and free beach wheelchairs. When you want to sneak in a little education in between body surfing and soft serve, Virginia Beach’s seaside museums provide a welcome escape from the noonday sun.
The Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum gives a historic (rather than Hasselhoffian) perspective on maritime emergencies, and the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum is perfect for those obsessed with the art of the decoy — and, really, what child isn’t?
But, oh, did your children hear about Atlantic Fun Park? Sorry. Good luck prying them off the Gravitron, the Skyflier or the go-kart track. There is an adult track, too, though, and a mom vs. dad competition can settle all sorts of scores the fun way: in helmets at high speed.
Virginia Beach’s Town Center is an upscale shopping and entertainment area that’s fun from sun-up to sun-down. Savor dishes from around the world at one of the district’s many restaurants, like Saffron Indian Bistro. Or, indulge in simple pleasures, like a chocolate-covered marshmallow from The Royal Chocolate. Cultural destinations like the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts and hi-octane venues like Apex Entertainment enliven the nighttime scene, so you can take in a Broadway show or go on a VR adventure in the Hologate.
Dining
With the rich waters of the Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is full of great eats. There are the requisite seaside fish shacks, of course, but Waterman’s Surfside Grille keeps things fresh, local and fun. The lump crab cakes and the jumbo scallops don’t mess with perfection, and kids will be happy (and quiet) with an order of hush puppies and fried shrimp. The signature menu item, though is Virginia’s Original Orange Crush, crafted with house-made, orange-essence vodka, fresh juice and Sprite. Beware how easily you can throw these back.
For breakfast and lunch on the boardwalk, Doc Taylor’s offers Southern comfort food like country ham and cheese grits, sweet potato pecan pancakes and plates so traditional — looking at you, Grandma Ellen’s Creamed Chipped Beef — you might not have seen them outside the Fannie Farmer cookbook since the early 1980s. Maybe even the 1880s.
At Commune, Virginia Beach shows off its elegant side, even as it stays true to its Mid-Atlantic roots. This can be seen (and tasted) in starters like the pimento cheese and pickle board, the hot honey chicken biscuit and the Tidewater Mushroom Benedict, where the cornmeal-dusted oyster mushrooms are an earthy foil for the hollandaise and poached eggs.
Tips for Relocating to Virginia Beach
Are you ready for life in Virginia Beach? Let Mayflower’s long-distance movers help you relocate here from anywhere in the U.S.
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