Norfolk

City Profile Image
Boats dot the Elizabeth River in Norfolk
An evening stroll on the dock

Norfolk, VA Area Guide

Virginia’s second largest city features coastal views and a rich history

Coastal Historic Military College Entertainment

Living in Norfolk combines coastal charm with maritime heritage. This historic port city offers housing options from row houses in the Freemason district to waterfront apartments in Ocean View, with current average rents ranging from $1,283 for one-bedroom units to $1,800 for three-bedroom homes. Downtown Norfolk features the Chrysler Museum of Art, the Waterside district, and Town Point Park, which hosts community events throughout the year. Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base, serves as a cornerstone of the local economy.

The 155-acre Norfolk Botanical Garden provides year-round natural beauty, while Community Beach, Ocean View Beach, and Sarah Constant Beach offer access to the Chesapeake Bay. The Elizabeth River Trail winds through the city, connecting neighborhoods and offering waterfront views. Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School anchor the education sector. The NEON (New Energy of Norfolk) district features public art installations and performance venues. Rent trends indicate stability with a 1.6% year-over-year change, comparing favorably with other coastal cities. Norfolk's central Hampton Roads location and cultural attractions preserve its appeal as a waterfront community.

Explore the City

Boats dot the Elizabeth River in Norfolk

An evening stroll on the dock

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Norfolk, VA is $1,379 for a studio, $1,373 for one bedroom, $1,499 for two bedrooms, and $1,870 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Norfolk has increased by 5.5% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,373/month
672 Sq Ft
House
$2,264/month
1,293 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,678/month
765 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,737/month
960 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Norfolk, VA

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Norfolk, VA is 9.3% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Norfolk is 21.3% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,373 - $1,870. You can expect to pay 0.2% less for groceries, 3.2% more for utilities, and 4.6% less for transportation.

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Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Norfolk, VA is for everyday living.

Somewhat Walkable

62 / 100

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

Good Transit

50 / 100

The area around this property has good transit with many nearby transportation options.

Bikeable

50 / 100

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Ghent School

Public

Grades K-8

W.H. Taylor Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

Ingleside Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

Larchmont Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

Willard Model Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

Ghent School

Public

Grades K-8

Crossroads School

Public

Grades PK-8

Azalea Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

Blair Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

Maury High

Public

Grades 9-12

Norview High

Public

Grades 9-12

Lake Taylor High

Public

Grades 9-12

Granby High

Public

Grades 9-12

B. T. Washington High School

Public

Grades 9-12

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Virginia Zoo
  • Fred Heutte Center
  • Norfolk Botanical Garden
  • Nauticus
  • Children's Museum of Virginia

Commuter Rail

Airports

  • Norfolk International
  • Newport News/Williamsburg International

Top Apartments in Norfolk

Houses for Rent in Norfolk

Property Management Companies in Norfolk, VA

Living in Norfolk

Highlights

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Great Norfolk destinations include Naval Station Norfolk, North American Headquarters for NATO, Virginia Zoological Park, Scope Arena, Chrysler Museum of Art, MacArthur Center, Town Point Park, USS Wisconsin BB-64, Norfolk Botanical Garden, and Ocean View Beach Park.

Norfolk's sister city is Halifax, Nova Scotia, a historical and beautiful city situated along the harbor.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.