Salary Needed to Live in Virginia Beach as a Retiree
A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $61,594/year to live comfortably in Virginia Beach, VA, including 5% savings.
Direct Answer
A retiree needs about $61,594/year to live comfortably in Virginia Beach, VA. The bare-minimum salary is $57,488/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 5% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,796.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,593/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,133/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$61,594
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$57,488
$4,791/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,593
3% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Virginia Beach
| Expense | Virginia Beach | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent | $1,286 | $1,448 | -11% |
| Groceries | $258 | $189 | +37% |
| Utilities | $203 | $183 | +11% |
| Transportation | $240 | $211 | +14% |
| Car Insurance | $231 | $223 | +4% |
| Health Insurance | $566 | $672 | -16% |
| Medicare Supplement | $210 | $200 | +5% |
| Prescription Drugs | $158 | $150 | +5% |
| Internet + Phone | $126 | $120 | +5% |
| Recreation & Social | $210 | $200 | +5% |
| Home Maintenance | $105 | $100 | +5% |
| Total Monthly | $3,593 | $3,696 | -3% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,593
Target savings (5%):$203/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,796
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$61,594
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,286
1-2BR Senior-Friendly rent is 36% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus VA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
5%
$203/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
105/100
Virginia Beach is close to the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br senior-friendly housing near $1,286/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $809/mo for persona-specific costs such as Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drugs.
- Use $57,488/year as the survival floor and $61,594/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Virginia Beach
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a retiree need in Virginia Beach?
A retiree needs approximately $61,594/year ($5,133/month gross) to live comfortably in Virginia Beach with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Virginia Beach?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Virginia Beach costs approximately $1,286/month, which is the largest single expense at 36% of the total budget.
Is Virginia Beach affordable for a retiree?
Virginia Beach is roughly average for retiree costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.