Salary Needed to Live in Virginia Beach as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $64,708/year to live comfortably in Virginia Beach, VA, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $64,708/year to live comfortably in Virginia Beach, VA. The bare-minimum salary is $56,080/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,954.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,505/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,392/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$64,708
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$56,080
$4,673/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,505
2% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Virginia Beach
| Expense | Virginia Beach | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $1,200 | $1,351 | -11% |
| Groceries | $284 | $207 | +37% |
| Utilities | $187 | $169 | +11% |
| Transportation | $360 | $316 | +14% |
| Car Insurance | $231 | $223 | +4% |
| Health Insurance | $566 | $672 | -16% |
| Internet | $68 | $65 | +5% |
| Phone | $89 | $85 | +5% |
| Dining & Social | $315 | $300 | +5% |
| Entertainment | $126 | $120 | +5% |
| Personal Care | $79 | $75 | +5% |
| Total Monthly | $3,505 | $3,583 | -2% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,505
Target savings (10%):$449/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,954
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$64,708
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,200
Studio/1BR rent is 34% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus VA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$449/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 studio/1br housing near $1,200/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $677/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $56,080/year as the survival floor and $64,708/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Virginia Beach
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Virginia Beach?
A single person needs approximately $64,708/year ($5,392/month gross) to live comfortably in Virginia Beach with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Virginia Beach?
A studio/1br in Virginia Beach costs approximately $1,200/month, which is the largest single expense at 34% of the total budget.
Is Virginia Beach affordable for a single person?
Virginia Beach is roughly average for single person costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.