Boise City vs Norfolk: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Boise City, ID and Norfolk, VA, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricBoise City, IDNorfolk, VA
Population234,192236,973
Median household income$76,402$60,998
Median home value$401,800$254,200
Median rent (/mo)$1,223$1,188

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Boise City, ID and Norfolk, VA comes down to what you value most. Norfolk has the lower median home value, and Norfolk has the lower median rent.

Boise City has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Boise City or Norfolk?
By median home value, Norfolk is the cheaper of the two ($254,200 vs $401,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Boise City or Norfolk?
Median household income is $76,402 in Boise City versus $60,998 in Norfolk, per the US Census Bureau.

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