CostIndexUSA

Providence, RI vs Virginia Beach, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

RI
Providence
101.8
overall index
$2,075/mo rent
More AffordableVA
Virginia Beach
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Virginia Beach is slightly cheaper than Providence — 3.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Providence, you would need $76,900 in Virginia Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing3.9%
Providence
103.9
Virginia Beach
99.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Providence
97.1
Virginia Beach
96.8
🚗 Transportation3.6%
Providence
107.4
Virginia Beach
103.5
🏥 Healthcare3.6%
Providence
97.2
Virginia Beach
93.7
Utilities39.8%
Providence
148.8
Virginia Beach
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$76,900
$3,100 less needed in Virginia Beach

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 101.8) = salary × 0.9617. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Providence, RI

Median Home Price
$501,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
103.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.1×

Virginia Beach, VA

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

Providence has 3.9% lower housing costs compared to Virginia Beach.

Income & Job Market

Providence, RI

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
190,934
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceManufacturingTourism

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).

Providence, RI
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.