Median rent is 11% lower in Greensboro ($1,172/mo vs $1,321/mo). Buying is cheaper in Greensboro, where the median home runs $244,800 versus $289,900. Households earn more in Norfolk ($66,109 vs $61,515 a year). Taken together, Greensboro is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.8 against 97.7 — about 5% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Greensboro is 5% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 92.8 in Greensboro vs 97.7 in Norfolk (US national average = 100)
City A
Greensboro, NC
City B
Norfolk, VA
How much would you need to earn in Norfolk, VA to maintain your standard of living from Greensboro, NC?
Equivalent salary in Norfolk, VA
$79,020
You'd need $4,020 more (5% higher).
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
Greensboro
North Carolina
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 Greensboro at $1,172/mo compared to $1,321/mo in Norfolk (11% gap). Median home values are within 16% of each other: $244,800 in Greensboro 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.
Greensboro
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Norfolk
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Greensboro has cleaner air on average: 43.0 AQI (Good) compared to 45.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Greensboro if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 92.8 vs 97.7).
Pick Norfolk if you prioritize higher median household income ($66,109/yr).
Pick Greensboro if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,172/mo median).
Is Greensboro cheaper than Norfolk?
Greensboro is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.8 versus 97.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 5% lower in Greensboro.
How much is rent in Greensboro vs Norfolk?
Median rent is $1,172/mo in Greensboro, NC and $1,321/mo in Norfolk, VA. Greensboro, NC has the lower rent by about 11%.
Which has higher salaries — Greensboro or Norfolk?
Median household income is $61,515 in Greensboro, NC and $66,109 in Norfolk, VA. Norfolk, VA 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?
Greensboro, NC has better air quality on average: 43.0 AQI versus 45.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Greensboro or Norfolk?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Norfolk to match my Greensboro income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Greensboro, NC is equivalent to roughly $105,360 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
