Is it cheaper to live in Norfolk or Worcester?

Norfolk, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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 Worcester.

Which has lower taxes, Norfolk or Worcester?

Norfolk is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Norfolk vs Worcester Cost of Living 2026

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/mo est.

Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/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 $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Norfolk, VA is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Worcester, MA, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $64,017 in Norfolk, VA and $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 5% higher in Worcester, MA. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Norfolk, VA

Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio

$1,102

$1,087

+1% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$1,028

+0% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,214

$1,476

+22% in Worcester, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,602

$1,675

+5% in Worcester, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$271,900

$339,500

+25% in Worcester, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$64,017

$67,544

+6% in Worcester, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,430

$57,830

+17% in Worcester, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

34.1 yr

+1.7 yr in Worcester, MA

Homeownership

45.7%

42.4%

+3.3 pp in Norfolk, VA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.7%

34.1%

+1.4 pp in Worcester, MA

Avg Commute

22.9 min

25.1 min

+2.2 min in Worcester, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

479.5

640.2

+34% in Worcester, MA

Property Crime

3,800.7

1,580.3

+58% 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

47.9°F

+13.4°F in Norfolk, VA

Annual Precipitation

44.8 in

48.1 in

+3.3 in in Worcester, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.07/gal

+3% in Worcester, MA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.2

29.6

+72% in Worcester, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.20

$30.66

+13% in Worcester, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Worcester, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Worcester, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Norfolk, VA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Worcester, MA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Worcester, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Worcester, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VA / MA)

5.3%

6.25%

+1.0 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.75%

9.00%

+3.3 pp in MA

Norfolk vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norfolk or Worcester?: Norfolk, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norfolk than in Worcester?: 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 Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, Norfolk or Worcester?: Norfolk is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).