Burke, VA vs Portsmouth, VA

The cost of living difference between Burke, VA and Portsmouth, VA is dramatic. Portsmouth is 94.5% cheaper than Burke, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Burke has a cost index of 178 while Portsmouth sits at 91, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Burke is $2,715/month compared to $1,266/month in Portsmouth — a 115% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Portsmouth is more affordable at $229,400 median vs $696,800.

Median household income in Burke is $179,063 compared to $58,972 in Portsmouth (+203.6%). While Burke is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Burke spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, less than the 25.8% in Portsmouth.