Property taxes in Virginia Beach are silently skyrocketing, after several Virginia Beach homeowners said they received this year’s real estate assessment notices. The notices, which began arriving in mailboxes in February, revealed some homeowners are paying hundreds of dollars more for property taxes.
While Virginia Beach still maintains the lowest property tax rate in the Hampton Roads region, set at $0.97 cents for every $100 of assessed property value, the increase comes from the estimated market value of the home.
For homeowner Ryan Gillium, the notice came as a shock.
“I just shook my head and said, ‘Man, you’ve got to be kidding me,'” Gillium said after opening the letter.
According to the notice sent to Gillium, the assessed value of his home has risen by more than $60,000 over the past two years. As a result, his property tax bill has increased from roughly $300 to closer to $500.
“When your home appreciates — and mine has appreciated by over $50,000 — which if I was in the market to sell the home then great, awesome,” Gillium said. “But I’m not. It’s my home.”
Gillium’s experience reflects a broader trend throughout the city. Officials report that the median home assessment for Virginia Beach properties increased by more than $17,000 compared to 2025 values. It’s an approximately 5.6% increase from 2025.
That number is set to rise again in 2027. In February, City Council received the most recent Real Estate Assessor’s Annual Report, which listed a projected 6% increase from 2026.
Mayor Bobby Dyer said this problem is not unique to Virginia Beach, as nearly every region in the country is struggling with the housing crisis.
“The housing inventory, even modest, is like $350,000 now,” said Mayor Dyer. “Once again we are confronted with a problem, and we have a need to increase the housing inventory, for city employees and teachers alike.”
City Council members acknowledged the financial burden these rising assessments can place on families. However, the funds generated from property taxes are the largest source of revenue for the general fund, which controls spending for Virginia Beach schools, street services, and other city initiatives.
In 2024, Virginia Beach City Council considered a motion that would have reduced the tax rate by two cents. The measure was ultimately not approved as there were concerns it would impact city services.
But for residents like Gillium, the higher costs are difficult to absorb.
“You’ve got to absorb that as a family,” Gillium said. “It doesn’t sound like a lot, but a couple hundred dollars when you have children — that’s what comes out of Christmas.”
Homeowners who believe their property assessment may be inaccurate have the option to request a review. The city is accepting hearing requests through April 30.