When you hear "Virginia Beach," most people picture oceanfront resorts, lively boardwalks, and sprawling suburbs. But what about "Princess Anne Virginia Beach"? This often causes confusion because Princess Anne isn't a separate city; it's a historic borough that makes up a significant, distinct part of the larger City of Virginia Beach. Think of it less as two different cities and more as comparing the broader, diverse metropolitan feel of Virginia Beach versus the more specific, often quieter, and historically rooted community within the Princess Anne area.
This comparison is for anyone weighing a move to Virginia Beach but trying to understand the nuances between its varied regions. Are you looking for the quintessential beach town experience with easy access to attractions, or are you drawn to a more laid-back, community-focused area with a rural touch, while still being part of a major city? We'll break down the practicalities, from housing costs and job prospects to schools and lifestyle, to help you decide which slice of Virginia Beach is the right fit for your next chapter.
Cost of Living
When comparing the cost of living, it's crucial to understand that both areas fall under the umbrella of Virginia Beach's economic data. The overall median home price for Virginia Beach hovers around $410,000, while the median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment averages about $1,850. The cost of living index for Virginia Beach is generally around 106, meaning it's about 6% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing.
However, within the Princess Anne area, you can find some distinctions. Areas like Pungo, deep within the Princess Anne borough, tend to have larger lots and a mix of older, more affordable homes and larger custom builds, with median prices often ranging from $450,000 for a newer build to over $700,000 for acreage. Conversely, older, more suburban sections closer to the historic Princess Anne Courthouse or Princess Anne Plaza can offer homes in the $320,000-$400,000 range, which can be slightly below the broader Virginia Beach median. Utilities, groceries, and transportation costs remain largely consistent across both, as they share the same infrastructure and tax base.
| Metric | Virginia Beach (Overall) | Princess Anne Area |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $410,000 | $320,000 - $700,000+ (varies by area) |
| Median Rent (1-BR) | $1,850 | $1,700 - $2,000 (similar to city average) |
| Median Household Income | $89,000 | ~$85,000 - $95,000 (varies by specific neighborhood) |
| Cost of Living Index | 106 (vs. US 100) | 105-107 (similar to city average) |
Job Market & Economy
Since Princess Anne is part of Virginia Beach, both areas share the same robust job market. Virginia Beach's economy is heavily influenced by the military, with major installations like Naval Air Station Oceana and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story providing significant employment. Beyond the military, tourism is a massive sector, especially around the Oceanfront, creating numerous jobs in hospitality, retail, and entertainment. Healthcare is another dominant industry, with Sentara Healthcare being a major employer across the region, alongside various medical facilities and clinics.
The unemployment rate in Virginia Beach typically hovers around 3.0-3.5%, often lower than the national average, indicating a healthy job market. Residents of the Princess Anne area commute to these same employment hubs. While Princess Anne itself might have fewer direct major employers (outside of agricultural businesses in Pungo or smaller local shops), its residents benefit directly from the city's overall economic strength. Remote work is viable for many professions, and the solid internet infrastructure in most of Virginia Beach, including the more developed parts of Princess Anne, supports this flexibility.
Neighborhoods
Virginia Beach offers a wide array of neighborhood types. The Oceanfront is bustling with hotels, condos, and nightlife, popular with tourists and those who want to be in the center of the action. Great Neck, in the northern part of the city, is known for its affluent homes, excellent schools, and proximity to waterways. Kempsville offers more suburban, family-friendly vibes with diverse housing stock from the 1970s and 80s, and a median home price around $370,000. These areas generally have moderate walk scores (30-50), requiring a car for most errands.
Within the Princess Anne area, the landscape shifts. Pungo, in the southern part of the borough, is distinctly rural with large farm properties, u-pick fields, and a strong community feel. Homes here can range from older farmhouses to custom builds on acreage, with prices often starting in the high $400,000s and easily exceeding $1 million. The historic Courthouse Area offers a mix of established homes, some new developments, and government buildings, with a slightly more suburban feel than Pungo, and median home prices in the $400,000-$550,000 range. Princess Anne Plaza, further north, is more developed with mid-century homes, strip malls, and a median price point around $350,000. Walk scores in these areas are generally low (under 20), emphasizing the need for personal transportation.
Safety
Virginia Beach as a whole generally boasts a lower violent crime rate than the national average, though property crime can be slightly higher, particularly in denser commercial or tourist-heavy areas. For example, areas immediately adjacent to the Oceanfront or certain shopping districts might see more petty theft or vehicle break-ins. The overall crime index for Virginia Beach is around 25, meaning it's safer than 25% of U.S. cities, but this is an average.
When we look specifically at the Princess Anne area, it consistently ranks as one of the safer parts of Virginia Beach. Rural Pungo, for instance, has extremely low crime rates, often experiencing only isolated incidents. The more suburban sections around the Princess Anne Courthouse and Princess Anne Plaza also report lower crime statistics compared to the city average, contributing to a strong sense of community safety. Generally, Virginia Beach is safe, but the Princess Anne area tends to have fewer instances of property crime and violent crime due to its lower population density and strong residential character.
Schools
Both areas are served by the Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) district, which is one of the largest and most highly-regarded school divisions in Virginia. The district consistently receives solid ratings, often scoring 7-8 out of 10 on GreatSchools, with many individual schools performing exceptionally well. VBCPS offers a wide range of academic programs, including advanced placement (AP) courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, and various academies specializing in subjects like STEM, arts, and business.
Within the Princess Anne area, you'll find top-tier schools like Princess Anne High School and Kellam High School, both frequently ranked among the best in the state for their academic rigor and extracurricular offerings. Elementary schools like Princess Anne Elementary and Strawbridge Elementary also receive high marks. Other excellent schools across Virginia Beach include First Colonial High School and Cox High School, known for strong academics. Private school options such as Cape Henry Collegiate and Virginia Beach Friends School are also accessible from both areas, offering alternative educational pathways.
Lifestyle & Things to Do
The lifestyle in the broader Virginia Beach area is incredibly diverse. The Oceanfront and Resort Beach areas are hubs for tourism, with surfing, boardwalk activities, live music, and a vast array of restaurants and bars. Inland, you'll find extensive shopping at places like Town Center, abundant parks, and recreational opportunities, including boating on the Lynnhaven River or golfing at one of the many courses. The climate is humid subtropical, offering hot summers and mild winters, with occasional hurricane threats in the fall.
The Princess Anne area offers a distinctly different, more laid-back lifestyle. While still just a 20-30 minute drive from the oceanfront, it embraces a quieter, more community-oriented atmosphere. Pungo is famous for its agricultural roots, hosting the popular Strawberry Festival, offering numerous pick-your-own farms, and a rural charm that feels a world away from the city's hustle. Dining options in Princess Anne lean towards local, family-owned establishments rather than chain restaurants, with a focus on fresh, regional cuisine. Parks like Munden Point Park provide access to waterways for fishing and kayaking. It's a place where neighbors know each other, and life moves at a slightly slower pace, appealing to those seeking a strong sense of community and connection to nature.
The Verdict
Choosing between the broader Virginia Beach area and the Princess Anne area really comes down to your lifestyle priorities. If you're a young professional or a family prioritizing proximity to the beach, vibrant nightlife, extensive shopping, and a wider array of dining options, the central and northern parts of Virginia Beach (like the Oceanfront, Great Neck, or Town Center areas) win. You'll have shorter commutes to major employers and amenities, albeit with potentially higher housing costs and more traffic.
However, if you're a family seeking a strong sense of community, excellent schools, lower crime rates, and a more suburban or even rural atmosphere with larger lots and a quieter pace of life, the Princess Anne area is the clear winner. You'll trade immediate access to the beach for a peaceful environment, closer ties to nature, and generally more space for your housing dollar. While your commute might be slightly longer to some parts of the city, the trade-off for a truly distinct and community-focused living experience is often worth it for those who value tranquility and a slower pace of life.
See the full data-driven report for Virginia Beach, VA and Princess Anne Virginia Beach, VA.
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