City Comparison

Norfolk vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Norfolk

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

13.8%

Springdale is 13.8% less expensive than Norfolk overall. A household earning $75,000 in Norfolk would need approximately $65,909 in Springdale to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
95
Norfolk
86
Springdale
Groceries
99
Norfolk
97
Springdale
Utilities
97
Norfolk
93
Springdale
Transportation
100
Norfolk
91
Springdale
Healthcare
99
Norfolk
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Norfolk has the same purchasing power as $65,909 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $85,345 in Norfolk.

Living in Norfolk vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Norfolk's housing index of 95 is higher Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $299,000. The $49,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Norfolk compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Norfolk and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Norfolk vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Norfolk vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 99 in Norfolk and 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $51,938 in Norfolk and $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $52,463 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Norfolk, median rent of $1,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 13.8% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 99.
A $75,000 salary in Norfolk has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $65,909 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Norfolk's housing index is 95 with median homes at $250,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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