Norfolk, VA vs Portsmouth, VA

Norfolk, VA and Portsmouth, VA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Norfolk scores 94 while Portsmouth scores 91 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Norfolk is $1,246/month compared to $1,266/month in Portsmouth — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Norfolk has cheaper rent, Portsmouth actually has lower median home values ($229,400 vs $271,900).

Median household income in Norfolk is $64,017 compared to $58,972 in Portsmouth (+8.6%). While Norfolk is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Norfolk spend roughly 23.4% of their income on rent, less than the 25.8% in Portsmouth.