CostIndexUSA

Anchorage, AK vs Virginia Beach, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AK
Anchorage
105.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableVA
Virginia Beach
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Virginia Beach is moderately cheaper than Anchorage — 7.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $74,300 in Virginia Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing9.2%
Anchorage
109.9
Virginia Beach
99.8
🛒 Groceries9.8%
Anchorage
107.3
Virginia Beach
96.8
🚗 Transportation4.6%
Anchorage
108.5
Virginia Beach
103.5
🏥 Healthcare4.6%
Anchorage
98.2
Virginia Beach
93.7
Utilities19.9%
Anchorage
111.8
Virginia Beach
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Anchorage to see what you'd need to earn in Virginia Beach to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$74,300
$5,700 less needed in Virginia Beach

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 105.4) = salary × 0.9288. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
109.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8×

Virginia Beach, VA

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
99.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Anchorage has 9.2% lower housing costs compared to Virginia Beach.

Income & Job Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Household Income
$94,200
Per Capita Income
$53,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
291,538
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryTourismHealthcareEnergy

Virginia Beach, VA

Median Household Income
$79,300
Per Capita Income
$45,200
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
459,470
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Anchorage, AK
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Virginia Beach, VA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.