City comparison
No. Virginia Beach's crime index is 62 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 29 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $1,714 in Virginia Beach.
Safety is where Philadelphia and Virginia Beach split most clearly. Virginia Beach scores 199 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,714 in Virginia Beach.
Virginia Beach is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Philadelphia makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Virginia Beach is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Philadelphia at $1,397 average has pockets that run $1,197 and others at $1,797: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Philadelphia and Virginia Beach are 219 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,714 a month in Virginia Beach, up $317 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $92,968 in Virginia Beach, up $31,015 (50%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 62 in Virginia Beach, down 199 points (76%).
The move
Virginia Beach and Philadelphia are 219 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,714 a month in Virginia Beach to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $317 a month (18%).
Median household income goes from $92,968 in Virginia Beach to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $31,015 (33%).
The crime index goes from 62 in Virginia Beach to 261 in Philadelphia, up 199 points (321%).
Philadelphia, PA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Virginia Beach, VA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Philadelphia and Virginia Beach? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
18% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 18% cheaper than Virginia Beach
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
Virginia Beach
$1,714/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $1,714 in Virginia Beach, so Philadelphia is 18% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,804, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Philadelphia still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Virginia Beach.
Planning to buy in Virginia Beach? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
50% higher
Virginia Beach's median income is 50% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Virginia Beach
Winner$92,968
Median household income is $92,968 in Virginia Beach versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 50% higher in Virginia Beach (about $31,015 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Virginia Beach is the stronger labor market on paper. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
76% lower crime
Virginia Beach's crime index is 76% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Virginia Beach
Winner62 (100 = avg)
Virginia Beach's crime index is 62 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 76% lower in Virginia Beach. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Virginia Beach is the easier city. Philadelphia can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
20% more comfortable
Virginia Beach weather is 20% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
54°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 69/100
Virginia Beach
Winner59°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 83/100
Philadelphia averages about 54°F (61°F highs); Virginia Beach averages about 59°F (63°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Virginia Beach averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Virginia Beach scores 20% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Philadelphia if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 18% cheaper here at about $1,397 a month. Choose Philadelphia if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 50% higher ($92,968), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 59°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Virginia Beach is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 76% lower than Philadelphia (62 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Virginia Beach leads on safety (75/100 vs 31/100 in Philadelphia). Typical rent is $1,714 in Virginia Beach and $1,397 in Philadelphia; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Philadelphia rent at $1,397/month is still below Virginia Beach's $1,714, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,714 in Virginia Beach.
Between Philadelphia and Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach is ahead on safety — 75/100 safety versus 31/100. Lean Philadelphia instead when you already know the Philadelphia block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Philadelphia and Virginia Beach, plus other cities in PA and VA.
