Is it cheaper to live in Norfolk or Rochester?

Norfolk, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Norfolk versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Norfolk or Rochester?

Norfolk is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Norfolk vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/mo est.

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,280/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 $1,280 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Norfolk, VA is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, MN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $64,017 in Norfolk, VA and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 27% higher in Rochester, MN. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Norfolk, VA

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$1,102

$1,080

+2% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$1,106

+7% in Rochester, MN

2 Bedroom

$1,214

$1,243

+2% in Rochester, MN

3 Bedroom

$1,602

$1,646

+3% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$271,900

$287,500

+6% in Rochester, MN

Income

Median Household Income

$64,017

$87,767

+37% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,430

$60,620

+23% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

36.4 yr

+4.0 yr in Rochester, MN

Homeownership

45.7%

65.4%

+19.7 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.7%

50.1%

+17.4 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

22.9 min

17.2 min

+5.7 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

479.5

158.9

+67% in Norfolk, VA

Property Crime

3,800.7

1,379

+64% 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

45.4°F

+15.9°F in Norfolk, VA

Annual Precipitation

44.8 in

33.0 in

+11.7 in in Norfolk, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.95/gal

+2% in Rochester, MN

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.6

16.9

+4% in Norfolk, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$23.66

$14.95

+37% in Norfolk, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rochester, MN

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Norfolk, VA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Rochester, MN

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Rochester, MN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VA / MN)

5.3%

6.875%

+1.6 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

5.75%

9.85%

+4.1 pp in MN

Norfolk vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norfolk or Rochester?: Norfolk, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norfolk than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Norfolk versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Norfolk or Rochester?: Norfolk is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).