Arlington, VA vs Norfolk, VA

The cost of living difference between Arlington, VA and Norfolk, VA is dramatic. Norfolk is 89.1% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 178 while Norfolk sits at 94, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month compared to $1,246/month in Norfolk — a 83% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Norfolk is more affordable at $271,900 median vs $864,800.

Median household income in Arlington is $140,160 compared to $64,017 in Norfolk (+118.9%). While Arlington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 19.5% of their income on rent, less than the 23.4% in Norfolk.