Is it cheaper to live in Norfolk or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Norfolk versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Norfolk or Provo?

Norfolk is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Norfolk vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,230 in Norfolk, VA versus $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norfolk, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $64,017 in Norfolk, VA and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 2% higher in Norfolk, VA. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Norfolk, VA

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$1,102

$1,009

+8% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$978

+5% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,214

$1,128

+7% in Norfolk, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,602

$1,381

+14% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$271,900

$437,100

+61% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$64,017

$62,800

+2% in Norfolk, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,430

$48,010

+3% in Norfolk, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

23.7 yr

+8.7 yr in Norfolk, VA

Homeownership

45.7%

39.9%

+5.8 pp in Norfolk, VA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.7%

45.0%

+12.3 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

22.9 min

18.5 min

+4.4 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

479.5

205.7

+57% in Norfolk, VA

Property Crime

3,800.7

1,280.6

+66% 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

61.3°F

53.4°F

+7.9°F in Norfolk, VA

Annual Precipitation

44.8 in

19.8 in

+25.0 in in Norfolk, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Provo, UT

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.2

13.4

+22% in Norfolk, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.20

$11.84

+56% in Norfolk, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Norfolk, VA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Provo, UT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Provo, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VA / UT)

5.3%

6.1%

+0.8 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.75%

4.50%

+1.3 pp in VA

Norfolk vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norfolk or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norfolk than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Norfolk versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Norfolk or Provo?: Norfolk is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).