CostIndexUSA

Memphis, TN vs Virginia Beach, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent
VA
Virginia Beach
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Memphis is moderately cheaper than Virginia Beach — 6.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Memphis, you would need $84,900 in Virginia Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+25.1%
Memphis
79.8
Virginia Beach
99.8
🛒 Groceries+0.6%
Memphis
96.2
Virginia Beach
96.8
🚗 Transportation+3.4%
Memphis
100.1
Virginia Beach
103.5
🏥 Healthcare+3.4%
Memphis
90.6
Virginia Beach
93.7
Utilities+20.9%
Memphis
74.1
Virginia Beach
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$84,900
$4,900 more needed in Virginia Beach

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 92.2) = salary × 1.0618. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Memphis, TN

Median Home Price
$238,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
79.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.9×

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 25.1% higher housing costs compared to Memphis.

Income & Job Market

Memphis, TN

Median Household Income
$64,000
Per Capita Income
$36,500
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
Population
633,104
Top Industries
LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingTourismGovernment

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).

Memphis, TN
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.