City Comparison

Glendale vs Norfolk

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Glendale

Arizona
113
Above Average
$405,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

Norfolk

Virginia
99
Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$51,938
Median Income

The Verdict

14.1%

Norfolk is 14.1% less expensive than Glendale overall. A household earning $75,000 in Glendale would need approximately $65,708 in Norfolk to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
119
Glendale
95
Norfolk
Groceries
103
Glendale
99
Norfolk
Utilities
98
Glendale
97
Norfolk
Transportation
103
Glendale
100
Norfolk
Healthcare
94
Glendale
99
Norfolk

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Glendale has the same purchasing power as $65,708 in Norfolk.

Conversely, $75,000 in Norfolk equals $85,606 in Glendale.

Living in Glendale vs Norfolk

Housing Costs

Glendale's housing index of 119 is higher Norfolk's 95, translating to median home prices of $405,000 vs $250,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Glendale compared to $1,300/mo in Norfolk, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Glendale and 99 in Norfolk. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Glendale 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 98 in Glendale and 97 in Norfolk. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Glendale vs $388 in Norfolk. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Glendale 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 $70,100 in Glendale and $51,938 in Norfolk. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,035 and $52,463 respectively. Glendale residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,636/month to housing in Glendale vs $1,212/month in Norfolk. In Glendale, median rent of $1,400/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 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Norfolk is 14.1% more affordable overall with an index of 99 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Glendale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $65,708 in Norfolk, based on the cost of living difference.
Glendale's housing index is 119 with median homes at $405,000, while Norfolk's is 95 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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