CostIndexUSA

Norfolk, VA vs Tempe, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableVA
Norfolk
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
AZ
Tempe
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Norfolk is moderately cheaper than Tempe — 5.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Norfolk, you would need $84,400 in Tempe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+21.4%
Norfolk
99.8
Tempe
121.2
🛒 Groceries1.9%
Norfolk
96.8
Tempe
95
🚗 Transportation+5.5%
Norfolk
103.5
Tempe
109.2
🏥 Healthcare+5.4%
Norfolk
93.7
Tempe
98.8
Utilities+4.1%
Norfolk
89.6
Tempe
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tempe, AZ
$84,400
$4,400 more needed in Tempe

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 97.9) = salary × 1.0552. 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×

Tempe, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Tempe has 21.4% 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

Tempe, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
185,038
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareRetailFinance

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)

Tempe, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.