Evansville vs Norfolk
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Evansville
Norfolk
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 19.2%, with Evansville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Evansville has equivalent purchasing power to $92,813 in Norfolk.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Evansville has the same purchasing power as $92,813 in Norfolk.
Conversely, $75,000 in Norfolk equals $60,606 in Evansville.
Living in Evansville vs Norfolk
Housing Costs
Evansville's housing index of 55 is lower Norfolk's 95, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $250,000. The $80,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $850/mo in Evansville compared to $1,300/mo in Norfolk, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Evansville and 99 in Norfolk. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Evansville 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 105 in Evansville and 97 in Norfolk. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Evansville vs $388 in Norfolk. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Evansville and 99 in Norfolk. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $48,600 in Evansville and $51,938 in Norfolk. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,750 and $52,463 respectively. Evansville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,134/month to housing in Evansville vs $1,212/month in Norfolk. In Evansville, median rent of $850/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 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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