2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Virginia Beach, VA vs San Mateo, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Mateo or is it cheaper to live in Virginia Beach?
- San Mateo is 138.5% more expensive than Virginia Beach.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Mateo or Virginia Beach?
- San Mateo housing costs are 389.2% more expensive than Virginia Beach housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Virginia Beach or is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo.
- Health related expenses are 11.6% more in San Mateo.
 Virginia Beach, VASan Mateo, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock250.0100
 Food & Groceries100.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock117.4100
 Housing109.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,378,900$338,100
 Utilities97  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock143.4100
 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 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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Virginia Beach

Reviews for San Mateo    12 Reviews

I have lived in San Mateo since 2013. It has seen tremendous growth, lots of new restaurants which have become progressively more high-end though there is ample  More

   |    Reply

I'm a native of California. I have lived in the southern part of the state and the northern part of the state for most of my life. I have spent the last 29 years in  More

   |    Reply

Over 15 years ago

San Mateo has a diverse mix of people, a pleasant climate, a very pleasant downtown park with lots going on, and pretty much whatever you need handy. It's not far to  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Mateo


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.