Is it cheaper to live in Fort Worth or Norfolk?

Norfolk, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Fort Worth, TX's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Fort Worth versus $41,000 in Norfolk.

Which has lower taxes, Fort Worth or Norfolk?

Fort Worth is taxed under Texas's rules (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Fort Worth vs Norfolk Cost of Living 2026

Fort Worth

Texas

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Fort Worth, TX versus $1,230 in Norfolk, VA. Overall, Norfolk, VA is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Fort Worth, TX, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth, TX and $64,017 in Norfolk, VA — about 16% higher in Fort Worth, TX. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Fort Worth, TX

Norfolk, VA

Rent

Studio

$1,310

$1,102

+16% in Fort Worth, TX

1 Bedroom

$1,191

$1,032

+13% in Fort Worth, TX

2 Bedroom

$1,393

$1,214

+13% in Fort Worth, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,721

$1,602

+7% in Fort Worth, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$277,300

$271,900

+2% in Fort Worth, TX

Income

Median Household Income

$76,602

$64,017

+16% in Fort Worth, TX

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,440

$49,430

+4% in Fort Worth, TX

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.4 yr

32.4 yr

+1.0 yr in Fort Worth, TX

Homeownership

56.7%

45.7%

+11.0 pp in Fort Worth, TX

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.7%

32.7%

+1.0 pp in Norfolk, VA

Avg Commute

26.9 min

22.9 min

+4.0 min in Fort Worth, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

465.2

479.5

+3% in Norfolk, VA

Property Crime

2,735.7

3,800.7

+39% 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 Fort Worth, TX

Annual Precipitation

36.1 in

44.8 in

+8.7 in in Norfolk, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.86/gal

+7% in Norfolk, VA

Area: Texas vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

Adult base one-way fare — Trinity Metro vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

17.6

+7% in Norfolk, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.48

$23.66

+22% in Fort Worth, TX

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 (TX / VA)

6.25%

5.3%

+1.0 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

None

5.75%

+5.8 pp in VA

Fort Worth vs Norfolk — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fort Worth or Norfolk?: Norfolk, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Fort Worth, TX's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fort Worth than in Norfolk?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Fort Worth versus $41,000 in Norfolk.
Which has lower taxes, Fort Worth or Norfolk?: Fort Worth is taxed under Texas's rules (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).