True Cost of Renting in Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia and a major military hub — NAS Oceana (the Navy's Master Jet Base), Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, and Naval Station Norfolk just across the city border employ over 60,000 military personnel whose BAH rates anchor the entire Hampton Roads rental market. The resort strip and oceanfront add short-term rental competition for the coastal inventory.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Town Center

Studio:
$1,500/mo
1 Bed:
$1,700/mo
2 Bed:
$2,200/mo

Virginia Beach's mixed-use urban center; high-rise apartments with amenity packages above retail and office. Most walkable area in Virginia Beach. Dominion Energy electric. Parking included in most towers. Strong professional demand from corporate and government contractors.

Oceanfront / Resort Area

Studio:
$1,600/mo
1 Bed:
$2,000/mo
2 Bed:
$2,700/mo

Atlantic Avenue resort strip; short-term vacation rental competition drives up long-term prices. Hurricane and flood insurance riders essential. Seasonal employment pattern affects neighbor demographics. Off-season leases may have better availability.

Kempsville / Great Neck

Studio:
$1,100/mo
1 Bed:
$1,400/mo
2 Bed:
$1,900/mo

Suburban residential areas central and north Virginia Beach; proximity to NAS Oceana and JEB Little Creek makes these popular with military families. Car-dependent. BAH rates anchor demand at $1,600–1,900/month for E-5 with dependents.

Utility Providers

Electric
Dominion Energy Virginia
Water
City of Virginia Beach Public Utilities
Internet
Cox Communications, Verizon Fios, T-Mobile Home Internet

Commute & Transportation

Virginia Beach is connected to Norfolk via I-264 and US-13 (Military Highway). The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (I-64) crosses to Newport News and Hampton. NAS Oceana is centrally located in Virginia Beach at Oceana Boulevard. JEB Little Creek-Fort Story is in the northeast. The Tide light rail connects Norfolk to Virginia Beach but doesn't yet extend deeply into Virginia Beach proper. Military commutes from Virginia Beach to Norfolk Naval Station can take 30–45 minutes across the water via the HRBT.

Rental Market Overview

Virginia Beach's rental market is stable due to permanent military presence. BAH for E-5 with dependents in the Hampton Roads area runs approximately $1,600–1,800/month, setting a price floor that landlords understand well. Dominion Energy electric bills average $110–180/month in summer. The oceanfront short-term rental market inflates coastal prices year-round. Town Center offers the best urban experience, while Kempsville and military-adjacent areas offer the best BAH value for service members.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Virginia Beach

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Virginia Beach: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Virginia Beach?
One-bedroom apartments in Virginia Beach range from $1,400/month in Kempsville / Great Neck to $2,000/month in Oceanfront / Resort Area. Two-bedroom units range from $1,900 to $2,700/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Virginia Beach?
In Virginia Beach, electricity is provided by Dominion Energy Virginia, water by City of Virginia Beach Public Utilities, and common internet providers include Cox Communications, Verizon Fios, T-Mobile Home Internet. Check whether your lease includes water or trash — some buildings bundle these into rent while others charge separately. Always ask the leasing office for the average monthly utility bill before signing.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Virginia Beach?
Kempsville / Great Neck is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Virginia Beach, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,400/month. Suburban residential areas central and north Virginia Beach; proximity to NAS Oceana and JEB Little Creek makes these popular with military families. Car-dependent. BAH rates anchor demand at $1,600–1,900/month for E-5 with dependents. Remember to factor in commute costs and parking fees when comparing neighborhoods — a cheaper base rent farther from work may cost more overall.
Is Virginia Beach expensive to rent in?
Virginia Beach's rental market is stable due to permanent military presence. BAH for E-5 with dependents in the Hampton Roads area runs approximately $1,600–1,800/month, setting a price floor that landlords understand well. Use RentCompare to calculate the true all-in cost for any apartment in Virginia Beach — base rent alone does not tell the full story.

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