salaryNorfolk is the 4th-largest city in Virginia that we track, with 233,596 residents. Rent is lower than in 51% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.1 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $65,120 a year. That is $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Virginia cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Virginia. It is number 59 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Norfolk with other big cities
Compare Norfolk to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Norfolk?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Norfolk
| Size | Norfolk | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,231 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,162 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,322 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,778 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,141 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Norfolk overall?
Everyday prices in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 97.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Norfolk
Life in Norfolk
What jobs pay in Norfolk
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,280 | 14.3% |
| Lawyer | $133,380 | 14.6% |
| Software Developer | $129,090 | 15.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $126,430 | 15.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,530 | 15.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,760 | 18.8% |
| Operations Manager | $100,340 | 19.5% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,890 | 19.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,680 | 20.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $89,450 | 21.8% |
| Accountant | $79,450 | 24.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $69,560 | 28.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,370 | 30.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,380 | 30.8% |
| Electrician | $62,350 | 31.3% |
| Plumber | $61,870 | 31.6% |
| Police Officer | $59,690 | 32.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,470 | 32.9% |
| Firefighter | $56,940 | 34.3% |
| Carpenter | $51,500 | 37.9% |
| Truck Driver | $50,460 | 38.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,620 | 44.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,160 | 49.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $39,020 | 50.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,990 | 50.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,150 | 51.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,280 | 53.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,820 | 63.4% |
| Cashier | $29,320 | 66.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Norfolk?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $384 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $289,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $28,990 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Norfolk, VA?
Renting in Norfolk costs a median of about $1,628 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Norfolk?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $65,120 a year, or $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Norfolk cheap or expensive?
Norfolk is rated OK: rent takes 27.4% of the typical household income of $71,299. It ranks 59th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Norfolk?
The median homeowner in Norfolk pays $2,890 a year in property taxes, about 1.00% of the median home value.
Is Norfolk more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Norfolk?
The median home value in Norfolk is $289,900, about 4.1 times the typical yearly household income.
233,596 people live in Norfolk. Numbers are typical (middle) values.