2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Virginia Beach, VA vs Des Plaines, IL

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Des Plaines or is it cheaper to live in Virginia Beach?
- Des Plaines is 0.9% more expensive than Virginia Beach.

Which city has more affordable housing, Des Plaines or Virginia Beach?
- Des Plaines housing costs are 7.6% less expensive than Virginia Beach housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Virginia Beach or is Health Care more affordable in Des Plaines.
- Health related expenses are 16.3% less in Des Plaines.
 Virginia Beach, VADes Plaines, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.7100
 Food & Groceries100.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.0100
 Housing109.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$267,600$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock125.9100
 Miscellaneous140.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Virginia Beach    95 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

If you lived here prior to 2005, your experience in Virginia Beach is likely between good and wonderful. There are still pros to living here. Other reviews have  More

   |    Reply

Over 7 years ago

I lived in the Hampton Roads area for 11 years while I was in the Navy. It was a bit of a culture shock, since I grew up in a small rural town in Maine with 900 people.  More

   |    Reply

Over 8 years ago

I lived in the Kempsville area of VB growing up and loved it. There's no way to be bored when you have so many public and neighborhood parks, libraries, events,  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Virginia Beach

Reviews for Des Plaines    4 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

low  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

The historic center of des plaines is also downtown. Fairly easy commute to Chicago. The metra is right there. Also there is the Des Plaines public library with a great  More

   |    Reply

Over 19 years ago

Changing of the seasons is good. But it's too cold for too  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Des Plaines


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.