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Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

Cost of living in Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk city, VA

Part of the Virginia Beach Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,494/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 235,037 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,483 42%
Healthcare $480 14%
Federal tax $443 13%
Groceries $355 10%
Transport $320 9%
Energy $202 6%
State tax $156 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Norfolk

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,475
per month
1 bedroom
$1,483
per month
2 bedroom
$1,696
per month
3 bedroom
$2,361
per month
4 bedroom
$2,809
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Norfolk

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$64,017
per year
Individual earnings
$37,126
per year
Per capita
$37,433
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Norfolk

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$271,900
Annual property tax
$2,738

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Norfolk

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$153
per month · 14.6¢/kWh
Natural gas
$49
per month
Annual total
$2,424
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Norfolk

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
9.1%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Norfolk

State and local tax rates for Virginia.

State income tax
5.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
5.3%
Combined sales tax
5.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Norfolk

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.9 min
Drive alone
71.7%
Public transit
2.8%
Work from home
8.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Norfolk

What it costs to live in Norfolk each month.

Single person
$3,494
per month
  • Rent $1,483
  • Energy $202
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $355
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $443
  • State tax $156
Couple
$4,878
per month
  • Rent $1,696
  • Energy $242
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $588
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $718
  • State tax $285
Family
$7,705
per month
  • Rent $2,361
  • Energy $303
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $893
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $718
  • State tax $285

Frequently asked questions about Norfolk

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Norfolk?

In Norfolk, Virginia, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,483 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,696 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,361 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Norfolk?

In Norfolk, Virginia, the average household income is $64,017 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $37,126 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Norfolk?

The estimated cost of living in Norfolk, Virginia is approximately $3,494 per month for a single person, $4,878 for a couple, $7,705 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Norfolk?

The combined sales tax rate in Norfolk, Virginia is 5.75%, which includes the Virginia state rate of 5.30% plus an average local rate of 0.45%.

Is Norfolk an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Norfolk, Virginia would need approximately $3,494 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $64,017 per year ($5,335 per month). Norfolk has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Norfolk?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Norfolk, Virginia is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Norfolk?

The average home value in Norfolk, Virginia is $271,900, with average annual property taxes of $2,738, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Norfolk compare to other areas?

You can compare Norfolk, Virginia with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Norfolk is in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area.

Other counties in Virginia

Browse the full list of counties in Virginia, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Virginia

Compare Norfolk with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources