Norfolk vs Salem: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Norfolk, Virginia compare to Salem, Oregon? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Norfolk is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 27% lower in Norfolk compared to Salem, while rent is 3% lower. State income tax is 5.75% in VA vs 9.9% in OR.
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salem, OR | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $254,200 | $349,500 | -27.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,188 | $1,224 | -2.9% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $60,998 | $67,540 | -9.7% |
| Per Capita Income | $35,761 | $35,469 | +0.8% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.8% | 9.9% | -41.9% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 5.8% | 0.0% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 236,973 | 175,754 | +34.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Norfolk
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Salem
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Norfolk costs $254,200 compared to $349,500 in Salem — a 27% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,188/mo in Norfolk vs $1,224/mo in Salem.
- Income: Median household income is $60,998 in Norfolk and $67,540 in Salem.
- Taxes: State income tax is 5.75% in Virginia vs 9.9% in Oregon.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).