CostIndexUSA

Indianapolis, IN vs Virginia Beach, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIN
Indianapolis
95.7
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
VA
Virginia Beach
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Indianapolis is slightly cheaper than Virginia Beach — 2.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Indianapolis, you would need $81,800 in Virginia Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+12.3%
Indianapolis
88.9
Virginia Beach
99.8
🛒 Groceries+2.7%
Indianapolis
94.3
Virginia Beach
96.8
🚗 Transportation0.6%
Indianapolis
104.1
Virginia Beach
103.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Indianapolis
94.2
Virginia Beach
93.7
Utilities+3.7%
Indianapolis
86.4
Virginia Beach
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$81,800
$1,800 more needed in Virginia Beach

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 95.7) = salary × 1.0230. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Indianapolis, IN

Median Home Price
$283,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
88.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.7×

Virginia Beach, VA

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

Virginia Beach has 12.3% higher housing costs compared to Indianapolis.

Income & Job Market

Indianapolis, IN

Median Household Income
$77,900
Per Capita Income
$44,400
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
887,642
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingFinanceLogisticsSports

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).

Indianapolis, IN
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.