Norfolk vs Orem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Norfolk
Orem
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 15.4%, with Norfolk being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Norfolk has equivalent purchasing power to $88,636 in Orem.
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 $88,636 in Orem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Orem equals $63,462 in Norfolk.
Living in Norfolk vs Orem
Housing Costs
Norfolk's housing index of 95 is lower Orem's 147, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $528,000. The $278,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,072 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Norfolk compared to $1,400/mo in Orem, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Norfolk and 98 in Orem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Norfolk vs $466/month in Orem. 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 92 in Orem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Norfolk vs $368 in Orem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 99 in Norfolk and 95 in Orem. 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 $86,000 in Orem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $52,463 and $73,504 respectively. Orem 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 $2,007/month in Orem. In Norfolk, median rent of $1,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Orem, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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