2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Virginia Beach, VA vs Gulf Shores, AL

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Gulf Shores or is it cheaper to live in Virginia Beach?
- Gulf Shores is 9.8% less expensive than Virginia Beach.

Which city has more affordable housing, Gulf Shores or Virginia Beach?
- Gulf Shores housing costs are 5.7% more expensive than Virginia Beach housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Virginia Beach or is Health Care more affordable in Gulf Shores.
- Health related expenses are 9.8% more in Gulf Shores.
 Virginia Beach, VAGulf Shores, ALUnited States
 Overall  Unlock94.5100
 Food & Groceries100.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock115.5100
 Housing109.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$439,200$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock76.9100
 Miscellaneous140.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Virginia Beach    95 Reviews

Over 4 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

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Over 6 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

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Over 7 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

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Reviews for Gulf Shores    6 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Owned a place there for 20 years and spend a few weeks each season there. Heading back in a few weeks! Lows: Spotty internet for work. Saturday traffic. Hurricanes.  More

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I know that there are a few people out there that would just as soon throw rotten tomatoes at me for saying what I’m about to say, but I hate, hate, HATE living in Gulf  More

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Over 14 years ago

Gulf Shores offers many sunny days, compared to the rest of Baldwin County.  More

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