City Comparison

Killeen vs Norfolk

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Killeen

Texas
84
Very Affordable
$235,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$56,400
Median Income

Norfolk

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

The Verdict

15.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.2%, with Killeen being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Killeen has equivalent purchasing power to $88,393 in Norfolk.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
56
Killeen
95
Norfolk
Groceries
96
Killeen
99
Norfolk
Utilities
108
Killeen
97
Norfolk
Transportation
95
Killeen
100
Norfolk
Healthcare
96
Killeen
99
Norfolk

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Killeen has the same purchasing power as $88,393 in Norfolk.

Conversely, $75,000 in Norfolk equals $63,636 in Killeen.

Living in Killeen vs Norfolk

Housing Costs

Killeen's housing index of 56 is lower Norfolk's 95, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $250,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Killeen compared to $1,300/mo in Norfolk, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Killeen and 99 in Norfolk. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Killeen 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 108 in Killeen and 97 in Norfolk. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Killeen vs $388 in Norfolk. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Killeen 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 $56,400 in Killeen and $51,938 in Norfolk. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,143 and $52,463 respectively. Killeen residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,316/month to housing in Killeen vs $1,212/month in Norfolk. In Killeen, median rent of $975/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 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Killeen is 15.2% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 99.
A $75,000 salary in Killeen has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,393 in Norfolk, based on the cost of living difference.
Killeen's housing index is 56 with median homes at $235,000, while Norfolk's is 95 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases