CostIndexUSA

Norfolk, VA vs Providence, RI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableVA
Norfolk
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
RI
Providence
101.8
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Norfolk is slightly cheaper than Providence — 4.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Norfolk, you would need $83,200 in Providence. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+4.1%
Norfolk
99.8
Providence
103.9
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Norfolk
96.8
Providence
97.1
🚗 Transportation+3.8%
Norfolk
103.5
Providence
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+3.7%
Norfolk
93.7
Providence
97.2
Utilities+66.1%
Norfolk
89.6
Providence
148.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Norfolk to see what you'd need to earn in Providence to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Providence, RI
$83,200
$3,200 more needed in Providence

Formula: salary × (101.8 ÷ 97.9) = salary × 1.0398. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Norfolk, VA

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
99.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Providence, RI

Median Home Price
$501,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
103.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.1×

Providence has 4.1% higher housing costs compared to Norfolk.

Income & Job Market

Norfolk, VA

Median Household Income
$79,300
Per Capita Income
$45,200
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
245,782
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareShippingGovernmentRetail

Providence, RI

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
190,934
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceManufacturingTourism

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Norfolk, VA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Providence, RI
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.