Median Age
34 Years
Largest Age Group
25-34 Years
Approximately 19% of Residents
Under 20
24%
Over 65
14%
Norfolk
Norfolk, VA Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,368
Population
229,699
Renter Mix
58% Rent
Virginia’s second largest city features coastal views and a rich history
Coastal
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Historic
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Military
•
College
•
Entertainment
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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
Demographics
Median Household Income
$60,283
Average: $81,687
Education
60,874
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
102,096
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Norfolk has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
58%
Non-Renters
42%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
21%
Other Education
79%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Norfolk, VA is $1,386 for a studio, $1,366 for one bedroom, $1,515 for two bedrooms, and $1,893 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Norfolk has increased by 3.6% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,366/month
672 Sq Ft
House
$2,098/month
1,165 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,563/month
788 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,861/month
738 Sq Ft
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 $1,366 - $1,893. 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.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
30
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
40
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-8
482 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
574 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
341 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
506 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
471 Students
Public
Grades K-8
482 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
848 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
756 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,149 Students
Public
Grades K-8
737 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,697 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,915 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,837 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,030 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
947 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Virginia Zoo
- Fred Heutte Center
- Norfolk Botanical Garden
- Nauticus
- Children's Museum of Virginia
Transit / Subway
Commuter Rail
Airports
- Norfolk International
- Newport News/Williamsburg International
Top Apartments in Norfolk
Houses for Rent in Norfolk
Property Management Companies in Norfolk, VA
S.L. Nusbaum
-
77
Communities
-
14,613
Units
-
32
Cities
19 Communities in Norfolk
Franklin Group
-
141
Communities
-
26,495
Units
-
63
Cities
7 Communities in Norfolk
Drucker & Falk
-
163
Communities
-
38,592
Units
-
57
Cities
6 Communities in Norfolk
Vest Residential
-
62
Communities
-
14,292
Units
-
34
Cities
6 Communities in Norfolk
The Breeden Company
-
36
Communities
-
8,347
Units
-
12
Cities
6 Communities in Norfolk
The Lawson Companies
-
12
Communities
-
2,715
Units
-
7
Cities
5 Communities in Norfolk
Living in Norfolk
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
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.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.