Norfolk vs Odessa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Norfolk
Odessa
The Verdict
Living in Odessa costs 16.5% less than Norfolk. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Norfolk, you would need $64,394 in Odessa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Norfolk has the same purchasing power as $64,394 in Odessa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Odessa equals $87,353 in Norfolk.
Living in Norfolk vs Odessa
Housing Costs
Norfolk's housing index of 95 is higher Odessa's 72, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $223,000. The $27,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,752 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Norfolk compared to $1,150/mo in Odessa, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Norfolk and 96 in Odessa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Norfolk vs $456/month in Odessa. 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 97 in Norfolk and 100 in Odessa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Norfolk vs $400 in Odessa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 99 in Norfolk and 96 in Odessa. 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 $51,938 in Norfolk and $73,500 in Odessa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $52,463 and $86,471 respectively. Odessa residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,212/month to housing in Norfolk vs $1,715/month in Odessa. In Norfolk, median rent of $1,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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