Living Cost Compare
Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/mo est.

vs
Wilmington

Delaware

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Wilmington, DE. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $64,017 in Norfolk, VA and $55,269 in Wilmington, DE — about 14% higher in Norfolk, VA. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Norfolk, VA
Wilmington, DE

Rent

Studio
$1,102
$1,103
+0% in Wilmington, DE
1 Bedroom
$1,032
$1,024
+1% in Norfolk, VA
2 Bedroom
$1,214
$1,213
+0% in Norfolk, VA
3 Bedroom
$1,602
$1,394
+13% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$271,900
$224,500
+17% in Norfolk, VA

Income

Median Household Income
$64,017
$55,269
+14% in Norfolk, VA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,430
$54,310
+10% in Wilmington, DE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.4 yr
37.0 yr
+4.6 yr in Wilmington, DE
Homeownership
45.7%
46.0%
+0.3 pp in Wilmington, DE
Bachelor's+ (25+)
32.7%
33.1%
+0.4 pp in Wilmington, DE
Avg Commute
22.9 min
23.0 min
+0.1 min in Wilmington, DE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
479.5
1,138.2
+137% in Wilmington, DE
Property Crime
3,800.7
3,182.4
+16% 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
54.9°F
+6.4°F in Norfolk, VA
Annual Precipitation
44.8 in
43.1 in
+1.7 in in Norfolk, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.86/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
17.6
19.4
+10% in Wilmington, DE
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$23.66
$22.51
+5% in Norfolk, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.00
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.75
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.21
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.45
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$1.90
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VA / DE)
5.3%
None
+5.3 pp in VA
Income Tax (top rate)
5.75%
6.60%
+0.8 pp in DE

Norfolk vs Wilmington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norfolk or Wilmington?
They're close. Norfolk, VA runs about $1,230 a month and Wilmington, DE about $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norfolk than in Wilmington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Norfolk versus $41,000 in Wilmington.
Which has lower taxes, Norfolk or Wilmington?
Norfolk is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Wilmington under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).