The Virginia Beach metro is home to 1,782,590 people (up 3.5% over five years), with a median household income of $80,533. Typical rent of $1,886/month works out to 28.1% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Virginia Beach's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 23.7% |
| Professional & management | 13.3% |
| Retail trade | 10.9% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 9.4% |
| Manufacturing | 8.8% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 28.1% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Virginia Beach market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,886/month suggests a household income around $75,000/year. The metro's median household income is $80,533.
By workforce share: Education & health care (23.7%), Professional & management (13.3%), Retail trade (10.9%) (Census ACS 5-year).