Norfolk vs Bakersfield

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Virginia salaries · California salaries

Living in Norfolk vs Bakersfield

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Norfolk has a housing index of 95 while Bakersfield sits at 96 (national average = 100). The median home in Norfolk costs $250,000 compared to $310,000 in Bakersfield, a difference of $60,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,300 in Norfolk versus $1,200 in Bakersfield.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Norfolk scores 99 while Bakersfield scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Norfolk (99) match Bakersfield (99). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Norfolk is $51,938 compared to $57,548 in Bakersfield. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.

Relocating: Norfolk vs Bakersfield

If you are considering a move between Norfolk (index: 99) and Bakersfield (index: 101), the 2% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Norfolk is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Norfolk can afford $1,212/month, while the median household in Bakersfield can afford $1,343/month. With median homes at $250,000 in Norfolk versus $310,000 in Bakersfield, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,300/month in Norfolk and $1,200/month in Bakersfield, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Norfolk where costs are 1% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Norfolk (99) vs Bakersfield (101)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Norfolk at 99 is 1% below the US average, while Bakersfield at 101 is 1% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Norfolk and Bakersfield land within 2 points of each other on the composite index (99 vs 101), so the overall cost picture is similar. Utilities shows the widest single-category margin at 97 versus 106, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Norfolk and Bakersfield. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Norfolk at 95 and Bakersfield at 96 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $250,000 and $310,000 respectively. With nearly identical cost profiles, the deciding factor between Norfolk and Bakersfield is more likely income potential, career opportunity, or lifestyle preference than raw cost of living.

For renters: With median rents of $1,300/month in Norfolk and $1,200/month in Bakersfield, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,200. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $60,000 difference in median home prices between Norfolk and Bakersfield translates to roughly $3,600 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

🔗 Related Tools

📚 Moving & Relocation Resources

Amazon affiliate links