Is it cheaper to live in Norfolk or Rutland?

Rutland, VT 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 Rutland?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Norfolk versus $34,000 in Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Norfolk or Rutland?

Norfolk is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Norfolk vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$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 Rutland, VT. Overall, Rutland, VT 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 $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 14% higher in Norfolk, VA. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Norfolk, VA

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$1,102

$893

+19% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$856

+17% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,214

$1,097

+10% in Norfolk, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,602

$1,207

+25% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$271,900

$176,400

+35% in Norfolk, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$64,017

$55,000

+14% in Norfolk, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,430

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

48.5 yr

+16.1 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

45.7%

52.7%

+7.0 pp in Rutland, VT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.7%

32.2%

+0.5 pp in Norfolk, VA

Avg Commute

22.9 min

14.7 min

+8.2 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

479.5

487.8

+2% in Rutland, VT

Property Crime

3,800.7

3,973.3

+5% in Rutland, VT

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

44.6°F

+16.7°F in Norfolk, VA

Annual Precipitation

44.8 in

40.5 in

+4.3 in in Norfolk, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.2

24.4

+42% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.20

$26.07

+4% in Norfolk, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rutland, VT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Norfolk, VA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VA / VT)

5.3%

+0.7 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.75%

8.75%

+3.0 pp in VT

Norfolk vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norfolk or Rutland?: Rutland, VT 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 Rutland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Norfolk versus $34,000 in Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Norfolk or Rutland?: Norfolk is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% 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).