Arlington vs Norfolk: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Arlington, VA and Norfolk, VA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Arlington, VA | Norfolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,845 | 236,973 |
| Median household income | $137,387 | $60,998 |
| Median home value | $833,300 | $254,200 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,227 | $1,188 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Arlington, VA and Norfolk, VA comes down to what you value most. Norfolk has the lower median home value, and Norfolk has the lower median rent.
Arlington 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 Arlington or Norfolk?
- By median home value, Norfolk is the cheaper of the two ($254,200 vs $833,300). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Arlington or Norfolk?
- Median household income is $137,387 in Arlington versus $60,998 in Norfolk, per the US Census Bureau.