Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Nashville and Norfolk have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Tennessee salaries · Virginia salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Nashville has a housing index of 108 while Norfolk sits at 95 (national average = 100). The median home in Nashville costs $380,000 compared to $250,000 in Norfolk, a difference of $130,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Nashville versus $1,300 in Norfolk.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Nashville scores 96 while Norfolk scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Nashville (98) are lower than Norfolk (99). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Nashville is $59,828 compared to $51,938 in Norfolk. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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