Best places to live in Virginia
We cover 14 places in Virginia, home to 2.39 million residents. The largest is Virginia Beach (454,000), the fastest growing since 2020 is Suffolk (+10.9%), and the lowest metro price level is in Lynchburg (89.4). The top state income tax rate is 5.75%. The average combined sales tax is 5.77%.
Best places to live in Virginia, ranked
Each city gets a score out of 100 from six official measures, weighted as shown: home prices compared with income (25%), household income (15%), population growth since 2020 (15%), short commutes (15%), comfortable months of weather (15%) and low poverty (15%). Scores compare all 546 large US cities, so a 70 in Virginia means the same as a 70 anywhere. See the national ranking and method.
| # | City | Score | Home value to income | Income | Growth | Commute | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reston | 62 | 4.3× | $148,710 | n/a | 26 min | 4 |
| 2 | Chesapeake | 59 | 4.0× | $95,373 | +2.4% | 26 min | 5 |
| 3 | Suffolk | 57 | 3.7× | $92,666 | +10.9% | 30 min | 3 |
| 4 | Lynchburg | 56 | 4.0× | $57,947 | +3% | 17 min | 6 |
| 5 | Virginia Beach | 55 | 4.1× | $92,968 | -1.2% | 23 min | 4 |
| 6 | Arlington | 54 | 6.3× | $142,114 | n/a | 26 min | 5 |
| 7 | Hampton | 52 | 3.5× | $69,621 | +0.1% | 23 min | 4 |
| 8 | Alexandria | 49 | 6.1× | $119,681 | +0.7% | 28 min | 5 |
| 9 | Newport News | 47 | 3.7× | $69,634 | -1.6% | 23 min | 4 |
| 10 | Roanoke | 47 | 3.4× | $55,378 | -0.9% | 19 min | 4 |
| 11 | Norfolk | 41 | 4.4× | $66,109 | -3% | 23 min | 5 |
| 12 | Richmond | 40 | 5.5× | $64,587 | +4.7% | 22 min | 3 |
| 13 | Portsmouth | 37 | 4.1× | $60,491 | -1.2% | 24 min | 3 |
| 14 | Charlottesville | 34 | 6.5× | $74,824 | -4.6% | 17 min | 4 |
Best for retirees, young professionals or families? Every city page shows all four scores, and the city quiz ranks cities by what matters to you.
Largest cities in Virginia
| City | Population 2025 | Growth | Home value | Rent | Income | Price level | Jan high | Jul high |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 453,737 | -1.2% | $382,500 | $1,714 | $92,968 | 97.9 | 50° | 87° |
| Chesapeake | 255,332 | +2.4% | $378,400 | $1,586 | $95,373 | 97.9 | 51° | 89° |
| Richmond | 237,257 | +4.7% | $353,000 | $1,372 | $64,587 | 97.9 | 48° | 90° |
| Arlington | 236,254 | n/a | $895,000 | $2,322 | $142,114 | 108.9 | 45° | 90° |
| Norfolk | 231,013 | -3% | $289,900 | $1,321 | $66,109 | 97.9 | 51° | 89° |
| Newport News | 183,230 | -1.6% | $260,600 | $1,339 | $69,634 | 97.9 | 49° | 87° |
| Alexandria | 160,662 | +0.7% | $735,100 | $2,089 | $119,681 | 108.9 | 45° | 90° |
| Hampton | 137,315 | +0.1% | $245,700 | $1,427 | $69,621 | 97.9 | 49° | 87° |
| Suffolk | 104,699 | +10.9% | $347,400 | $1,563 | $92,666 | 97.9 | 50° | 89° |
| Roanoke | 99,111 | -0.9% | $190,500 | $996 | $55,378 | 93.6 | 47° | 88° |
| Portsmouth | 96,777 | -1.2% | $246,900 | $1,300 | $60,491 | 97.9 | 50° | 89° |
| Lynchburg | 81,347 | +3% | $229,800 | $1,073 | $57,947 | 89.4 | 46° | 87° |
| Reston | 64,414 | n/a | $642,000 | $2,231 | $148,710 | 108.9 | 43° | 88° |
| Charlottesville | 44,388 | -4.6% | $486,700 | $1,540 | $74,824 | 99.1 | 44° | 84° |
Taxes in Virginia
Virginia has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5.75% in 2026. The state sales tax is 5.3%, and with the average local rate added it comes to 5.77%. Source: Tax Foundation, 2026. Local income taxes are not included.