Cost of Living Comparison Between Norfolk, VA and Auburn, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Norfolk, VA and Auburn, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,036 per month in Norfolk, VA vs $3,008 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,142 per month in Norfolk, VA vs $4,264 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,247 per month in Norfolk, VA vs $5,520 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

Norfolk, VA costs about 1% more than Auburn, CA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Norfolk, VA and Auburn, CA sit above the global median – Norfolk, VA by 127%, Auburn, CA by 125%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.41 $19.41

$24.54 $24.54

-20.90%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$74.5 $74.5

$89.0 $89.0

-16.34%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.97 $11.97

$11.88 $11.88

0.76%

Cappuccino

$5.18 $5.18

$4.69 $4.69

10.45%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.29 $2.29

$2.61 $2.61

-12.26%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$2.24 $2.24

-5.36%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.13 $6.13

$4.88 $4.88

25.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.07 $7.07

$6.79 $6.79

4.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.86 $0.86

$1.23 $1.23

-30.08%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$4.30 $4.30

-2.56%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$6.21 $6.21

-13.20%

Eggs

$4.57 $4.57

$3.16 $3.16

44.62%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.72 $13.72

$21.01 $21.01

-34.70%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.42 $11.42

$14.62 $14.62

-21.89%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.81 $16.81

$16.94 $16.94

-0.77%

Apples (1kg)

$4.76 $4.76

$7.85 $7.85

-39.36%

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 $1.46

$1.75 $1.75

-16.57%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.75 $5.75

$6.49 $6.49

-11.40%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.09 $6.09

$6.27 $6.27

-2.87%

Potato (1kg)

$2.34 $2.34

$4.46 $4.46

-47.53%

Onion (1kg)

$3.24 $3.24

$3.50 $3.50

-7.43%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.79 $1.79

$1.95 $1.95

-8.21%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$2.22 $2.22

-4.50%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.98 $8.98

$10.88 $10.88

-17.46%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.24 $15.24

$11.94 $11.94

27.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$1.46 $1.46

21.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.02 $3.02

$1.97 $1.97

53.30%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.02 $2.02

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$104 $104

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.64 $4.64

$3.46 $3.46

34.10%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.27 $1.27

$1.98 $1.98

-35.86%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$15.14 $15.14

$39.39 $39.39

-61.56%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.80 $0.80

$1.31 $1.31

-38.93%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.5K $30.5K

$23.8K $23.8K

28.08%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.4K $26.4K

$24.6K $24.6K

7.23%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$187 $187

$270 $270

-30.92%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$49.87 $49.87

$50.4 $50.4

-0.97%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.1 $71.1

$71.7 $71.7

-0.77%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.73 $40.73

$65.0 $65.0

-37.33%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.68 $17.68

Cinema Ticket

$11.90 $11.90

$14.66 $14.66

-18.83%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,512 $1,512

$2,693 $2,693

-43.87%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.0K $16.0K

$6,059 $6,059

164.60%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.1 $61.1

$53.4 $53.4

14.47%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.33 $46.33

$40.09 $40.09

15.56%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 $102

$64.6 $64.6

57.46%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$138 $138

$125 $125

10.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,860 $1,860

$1,876 $1,876

-0.88%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,657 $1,657

$1,571 $1,571

5.44%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,510 $2,510

$2,764 $2,764

-9.17%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,234 $2,234

$2,325 $2,325

-3.91%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,392 $2,392

$3,259 $3,259

-26.59%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,241 $2,241

$2,721 $2,721

-17.66%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,503 $3,503

$4,035 $4,035

-13.17%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.53

6.55

-0.31%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Norfolk, VA: July 13, 2026

Last update for Auburn, CA: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,860 in Norfolk, VA versus $1,876 in Auburn, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 15% higher in Auburn, CA, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $74.0 in Norfolk, VA versus $89.0 in Auburn, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $416 vs $477 – making Norfolk, VA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Norfolk, VA vs Auburn, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,036 in Norfolk, VA, $3,008 in Auburn, CA – roughly 1% apart. Norfolk, VA costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,554 per month in Norfolk, VA and $4,512 in Auburn, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Auburn, CA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,036 in Norfolk, VA and $3,008 in Auburn, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,512 per month in Norfolk, VA and $2,693 in Auburn, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,036 in Norfolk, VA and $3,008 in Auburn, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Auburn, CA – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Auburn, CA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Norfolk, VA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.