Is Virginia Beach, VA cheaper than Charlotte, NC?

Based on cost of living data, Virginia Beach, VA is 6.2% more expensive than Charlotte, NC. This translates to spending an extra $464 per month.

What salary do I need in Virginia Beach, VA to live like I do in Charlotte, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Charlotte, NC, you'd need approximately $155,567.01 in Virginia Beach, VA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Charlotte, NC and Virginia Beach, VA?

Housing in Virginia Beach, VA is 10.5% more expensive than in Charlotte, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,040/month in Virginia Beach, VA compared to $1,870/month in Charlotte, NC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Charlotte, NC to Virginia Beach, VA?

Living in Virginia Beach, VA costs approximately $464 more per month than Charlotte, NC, or $5567 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Charlotte, NC vs Virginia Beach, VA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Charlotte, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $464/month more in Virginia Beach, VA

$150.0K in your current city equals $155.6K in Virginia Beach, VA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC area

Overall Cost

↑ 6.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$464

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$5.6K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$399K

Virginia Beach, VA

Population:459K

Cost Index:

106

(6% above avg)

Median Home:$447K

Charlotte, NC

The Tar Heel State

875K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Major banking center
•NASCAR headquarters
•Queen City

Major Industries

FinanceTechnologyEnergyMotorsports

Virginia Beach, VA

The Old Dominion State

459K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Virginia, this city has a population of 459K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Charlotte, NC vs Virginia Beach, VA

Category	Charlotte, NC	Virginia Beach, VA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,469/mo	$2,729/mo	↑ $260more	10.5%
Transportation	$1,202/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $81.96more	6.8%
All Utilities	$519/mo	$574/mo	↑ $54.64more	10.5%
Other	$1,707/mo	$1,758/mo	↑ $50.22more	2.9%
Groceries	$989/mo	$959/mo	↓ $29.98less	3.0%
Healthcare	$638/mo	$632/mo	↓ $6.20less	1.0%

Housing

↑ 10.5%

Charlotte, NC

$2,469

Virginia Beach, VA

$2,729

Difference

$260

Transportation

↑ 6.8%

Charlotte, NC

$1,202

Virginia Beach, VA

$1,284

Difference

$81.96

All Utilities

↑ 10.5%

Charlotte, NC

$519

Virginia Beach, VA

$574

Difference

$54.64

Other

↑ 2.9%

Charlotte, NC

$1,707

Virginia Beach, VA

$1,758

Difference

$50.22

Groceries

↓ 3.0%

Charlotte, NC

$989

Virginia Beach, VA

$959

Difference

$29.98

less

Healthcare

↓ 1.0%

Charlotte, NC

$638

Virginia Beach, VA

$632

Difference

$6.20

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,630

To$1,780

↑ $150

1 Bed

From$1,710

To$1,800

↑ $90.00

2 Bed

From$1,870

To$2,040

↑ $170

3 Bed

From$2,300

To$2,830

↑ $530

Charlotte, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,340–$2,310/mo

Virginia Beach, VAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,690–$2,120/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,525

Monthly in Charlotte, NC

$7,935

Monthly in Virginia Beach, VA

$411

Difference

Home Values

Charlotte

Virginia Beach

$399K

Median Value

$447K

↓ -1.1%

YoY Change

↑ +2.7%

↑ +40.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +33.5%

$293K - $1.57M

Price Range

$318K - $640K

Homes in Virginia Beach are 12% more expensive than Charlotte

Calculate payment - Charlotte Calculate payment - Virginia Beach

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $1.2K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$104

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.8%

Rate difference

Charlotte, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

Virginia Beach, VA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Virginia State Tax

Effective: 5.6%

$8.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.3%

$45.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,718/month

$104.6K

Additional Tax Information

Charlotte, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

Virginia Beach, VA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.7%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.