Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Norfolk?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Norfolk?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $41,000 in Norfolk.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Norfolk?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Norfolk Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/mo est.

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,080 in Columbus, GA versus $1,230 in Norfolk, VA. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norfolk, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $64,017 in Norfolk, VA — about 12% higher in Norfolk, VA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Norfolk, VA

Rent

Studio

$826

$1,102

+33% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$875

$1,032

+18% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,214

+23% in Norfolk, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,602

+31% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$271,900

+49% in Norfolk, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$64,017

+13% in Norfolk, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$49,430

+14% in Norfolk, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

32.4 yr

+2.7 yr in Columbus, GA

Homeownership

50.2%

45.7%

+4.5 pp in Columbus, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

32.7%

+3.0 pp in Norfolk, VA

Avg Commute

20.2 min

22.9 min

+2.7 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

479.5

+22% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

3,800.7

+67% in Norfolk, VA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

61.3°F

+4.4°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

44.8 in

+2.0 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

17.6

+11% in Norfolk, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$23.66

+29% in Columbus, GA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — South vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / VA)

5.3%

+1.3 pp in VA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.75%

+0.6 pp in VA

Columbus vs Norfolk — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Norfolk?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Norfolk?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $41,000 in Norfolk.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Norfolk?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).