Median rent is 10% lower in Norfolk ($1,321/mo vs $1,472/mo). Buying is cheaper in Norfolk, where the median home runs $289,900 versus $320,700. Households earn more in Dallas ($70,518 vs $66,109 a year). Taken together, Norfolk is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.7 against 102.5 — about 5% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Norfolk is 5% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 97.7 in Norfolk vs 102.5 in Dallas (US national average = 100)
City A
Dallas, TX
City B
Norfolk, VA
How much would you need to earn in Norfolk, VA to maintain your standard of living from Dallas, TX?
Equivalent salary in Norfolk, VA
$71,511
You could earn $3,489 less (5% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Dallas
Texas
Norfolk
Virginia
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Norfolk at $1,321/mo compared to $1,472/mo in Dallas (10% gap). Median home values are within 10% of each other: $320,700 in Dallas and $289,900 in Norfolk.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Dallas
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Norfolk
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Norfolk has cleaner air on average: 45.0 AQI (Good) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Norfolk if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 97.7 vs 102.5).
Pick Dallas if you prioritize higher median household income ($70,518/yr).
Pick Norfolk if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 45.0).
Is Dallas cheaper than Norfolk?
Norfolk is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.7 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 5% lower in Norfolk.
How much is rent in Dallas vs Norfolk?
Median rent is $1,472/mo in Dallas, TX and $1,321/mo in Norfolk, VA. Norfolk, VA has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Dallas or Norfolk?
Median household income is $70,518 in Dallas, TX and $66,109 in Norfolk, VA. Dallas, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Norfolk, VA has better air quality on average: 45.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Dallas or Norfolk?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Norfolk to match my Dallas income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Dallas, TX is equivalent to roughly $95,348 in Norfolk, VA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
