Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
New Orleans and Norfolk have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Louisiana salaries · Virginia salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. New Orleans has a housing index of 95 while Norfolk sits at 95 (national average = 100). The median home in New Orleans costs $245,000 compared to $250,000 in Norfolk, a difference of $5,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in New Orleans versus $1,300 in Norfolk.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: New Orleans scores 99 while Norfolk scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in New Orleans (94) are lower than Norfolk (99). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in New Orleans is $43,258 compared to $51,938 in Norfolk. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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