Is it cheaper to live in Norfolk or Springfield?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Norfolk versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Norfolk or Springfield?

Norfolk is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Norfolk vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$940/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 $940 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norfolk, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $64,017 in Norfolk, VA and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 28% higher in Norfolk, VA. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Norfolk, VA

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$1,102

$760

+31% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$772

+25% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,214

$926

+24% in Norfolk, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,602

$1,158

+28% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$271,900

$165,200

+39% in Norfolk, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$64,017

$45,984

+28% in Norfolk, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,430

$45,780

+7% in Norfolk, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

33.6 yr

+1.2 yr in Springfield, MO

Homeownership

45.7%

42.9%

+2.8 pp in Norfolk, VA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.7%

30.3%

+2.4 pp in Norfolk, VA

Avg Commute

22.9 min

18.0 min

+4.9 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

479.5

1,189.8

+148% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

3,800.7

4,231.6

+11% in Springfield, MO

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

56.3°F

+5.0°F in Norfolk, VA

Annual Precipitation

44.8 in

45.6 in

+0.8 in in Springfield, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Springfield, MO

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.6

13.7

+22% in Norfolk, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$23.66

$24.13

+2% in Springfield, MO

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Springfield, MO

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Norfolk, VA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Springfield, MO

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Springfield, MO

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VA / MO)

5.3%

4.225%

+1.1 pp in VA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.75%

4.70%

+1.0 pp in VA

Norfolk vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norfolk or Springfield?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norfolk than in Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Norfolk versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Norfolk or Springfield?: Norfolk is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% 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).