Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Norfolk, VA (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Norfolk

Virginia
89

Austin is 51% more expensive than Norfolk.

$1,655/mo ↑ 33%
Median Rent
$1,246/mo ↓ 25%
$91,461/yr ↑ 43%
Median Income
$64,017/yr ↓ 30%
$512,700 ↑ 89%
Home Value
$271,900 ↓ 47%
$1,747/mo ↑ 28%
Owner Costs
$1,366/mo ↓ 22%
967,862
Population
235,037

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Norfolk, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 89 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $409/month cheaper in Norfolk, saving renters about $4,908/year.

Median household income is $27,444/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $271,900 in Norfolk.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Norfolk — common questions

Is Austin or Norfolk cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Norfolk is cheaper to live in with an index of 89 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Norfolk?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Norfolk it's $1,246/month — a difference of $409/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Norfolk?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $64,017 in Norfolk. Median household income is $27,444/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Virginia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Norfolk?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Norfolk has a cost index of 89 with rent of $1,246/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Norfolk details →

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