Augusta vs Norfolk
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Norfolk
The Verdict
Augusta is 19.2% less expensive than Norfolk overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $92,813 in Norfolk to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $92,813 in Norfolk.
Conversely, $75,000 in Norfolk equals $60,606 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Norfolk
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Norfolk's 95, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $250,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,300/mo in Norfolk, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 99 in Norfolk. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $470/month in Norfolk. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 104 in Augusta and 97 in Norfolk. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $388 in Norfolk. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 99 in Norfolk. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,500 in Augusta and $51,938 in Norfolk. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $52,463 respectively. Augusta residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,212/month in Norfolk. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Norfolk, median rent of $1,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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