Median rent is 23% lower in Norfolk ($1,321/mo vs $1,714/mo). Buying is cheaper in Norfolk, where the median home runs $289,900 versus $382,500. Households earn more in Virginia Beach ($92,968 vs $66,109 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (97.7).
City A
Norfolk, VA
City B
Virginia Beach, VA
How much would you need to earn in Virginia Beach, VA to maintain your standard of living from Norfolk, VA?
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
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
Norfolk
Virginia
Virginia Beach
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Norfolk — median rent of $1,321/mo versus $1,714/mo in Virginia Beach, a 23% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Virginia Beach: the median home is $382,500 versus $289,900 in Norfolk — 24% more expensive.
Metric
Norfolk
Virginia Beach
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Norfolk
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Virginia Beach
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Norfolk averages 45.0 AQI (Good) and Virginia Beach averages 45.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Virginia Beach if you prioritize higher median household income ($92,968/yr).
Pick Norfolk if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,321/mo median).
Norfolk is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.7 versus 97.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Norfolk.
Median rent is $1,321/mo in Norfolk, VA and $1,714/mo in Virginia Beach, VA. Norfolk, VA has the lower rent by about 23%.
Median household income is $66,109 in Norfolk, VA and $92,968 in Virginia Beach, VA. Virginia Beach, VA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Virginia Beach, VA has better air quality on average: 45.0 AQI versus 45.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Norfolk, VA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Virginia Beach, VA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
