CostIndexUSA

Norfolk, VA vs Virginia Beach, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

≈ Equal CostVA
Norfolk
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
VA
Virginia Beach
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Norfolk and Virginia Beach have nearly identical costs of living.

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Norfolk
99.8
Virginia Beach
99.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Norfolk
96.8
Virginia Beach
96.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Norfolk
103.5
Virginia Beach
103.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Norfolk
93.7
Virginia Beach
93.7
Utilities≈ Equal
Norfolk
89.6
Virginia Beach
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$80,000
Same salary works in both cities

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 97.9) = salary × 1.0000. 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×

Virginia Beach, VA

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

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

Virginia Beach, VA

Median Household Income
$79,300
Per Capita Income
$45,200
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
459,470
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareRetailGovernment

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)

Virginia Beach, VA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.