The minimum wage in Virginia Beach is $15.00/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $21.00/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Virginia Beach.
The minimum wage in Virginia Beach is the Virginia statewide minimum of $15.00/hour. Virginia Beach does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Virginia statewide minimum applies; Virginia raised its rate to $15.00/hour effective January 2026. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Virginia Beach. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,350/month and a cost-of-living index of 98 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Virginia Beach, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $21.00 | $43,680 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $42.50 | $88,400 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $16,200 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for the City of Virginia Beach. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Virginia Beach.
Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia, anchored by a major military presence (including Naval Air Station Oceana and nearby bases), tourism along its Atlantic resort strip, defense contracting, healthcare, and a growing technology and logistics base in Hampton Roads.
| Local Metric | Virginia Beach (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 455,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | the City of Virginia Beach |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 98 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $42.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,350/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,700/month |
| Median home price | $360,000 |
| Median household income | $85,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 6% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.85% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Virginia Beach is the Virginia statewide minimum of $15.00/hour. Virginia Beach does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Virginia statewide minimum applies; Virginia raised its rate to $15.00/hour effective January 2026. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $31,200 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in the City of Virginia Beach needs about $21.00/hour (roughly $43,680/year) to cover basic costs. That is $6.00/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $42.50/hour.
At $15.00/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $31,200 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $23,400/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Virginia Beach is about $1,350/month, or $16,200/year.
Virginia Beach does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Virginia statewide minimum applies; Virginia raised its rate to $15.00/hour effective January 2026.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Virginia has set a state minimum wage above the federal floor, reaching $15.00/hour in 2026, and that higher rate applies in Virginia Beach.