Is it cheaper to live in Montgomery or Norfolk?

Montgomery, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Montgomery versus $41,000 in Norfolk.

Which has lower taxes, Montgomery or Norfolk?

Montgomery is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% 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).

Montgomery vs Norfolk Cost of Living 2026

Montgomery

Alabama

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Montgomery, AL versus $1,230 in Norfolk, VA. Overall, Montgomery, AL is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norfolk, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,687 in Montgomery, AL and $64,017 in Norfolk, VA — about 13% higher in Norfolk, VA. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Montgomery, AL

Norfolk, VA

Rent

Studio

$864

$1,102

+28% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$831

$1,032

+24% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$982

$1,214

+24% in Norfolk, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,172

$1,602

+37% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$148,500

$271,900

+83% in Norfolk, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$55,687

$64,017

+15% in Norfolk, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$44,950

$49,430

+10% in Norfolk, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.2 yr

32.4 yr

+3.8 yr in Montgomery, AL

Homeownership

54.3%

45.7%

+8.6 pp in Montgomery, AL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.5%

32.7%

+0.8 pp in Montgomery, AL

Avg Commute

20.5 min

22.9 min

+2.4 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

605.5

479.5

+21% in Montgomery, AL

Property Crime

2,258.3

3,800.7

+68% 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

65.1°F

61.3°F

+3.8°F in Montgomery, AL

Annual Precipitation

53.1 in

44.8 in

+8.3 in in Montgomery, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Norfolk, VA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

17.2

+5% in Norfolk, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.06

$27.20

+13% in Norfolk, VA

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 (AL / VA)

5.3%

+1.3 pp in VA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.00%

5.75%

+0.8 pp in VA

Montgomery vs Norfolk — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Montgomery or Norfolk?: Montgomery, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Montgomery than in Norfolk?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Montgomery versus $41,000 in Norfolk.
Which has lower taxes, Montgomery or Norfolk?: Montgomery is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% 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).