CostIndexUSA

Joplin, MO vs Virginia Beach, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
VA
Virginia Beach
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Joplin is moderately cheaper than Virginia Beach — 14.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Joplin, you would need $91,400 in Virginia Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+84.8%
Joplin
54
Virginia Beach
99.8
🛒 Groceries+2.8%
Joplin
94.2
Virginia Beach
96.8
🚗 Transportation+5.9%
Joplin
97.7
Virginia Beach
103.5
🏥 Healthcare+6.0%
Joplin
88.4
Virginia Beach
93.7
Utilities+4.3%
Joplin
85.9
Virginia Beach
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$91,400
$11,400 more needed in Virginia Beach

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 85.7) = salary × 1.1424. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Joplin, MO

Median Home Price
$216,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
54
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4×

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 84.8% higher housing costs compared to Joplin.

Income & Job Market

Joplin, MO

Median Household Income
$57,900
Per Capita Income
$33,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
50,843
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

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).

Joplin, MO
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.