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 $2,361 per month in Norfolk, VA vs $3,112 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,586 per month in Norfolk, VA vs $4,434 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,812 per month in Norfolk, VA vs $5,756 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

Norfolk, VA is about 24% cheaper than Auburn, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Norfolk, VA and Auburn, CA sit above the global median – Norfolk, VA by 72%, Auburn, CA by 127%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.18 $18.18

$25.26 $25.26

-28.03%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$90.4 $90.4

$88.6 $88.6

2.01%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.41 $11.41

$12.02 $12.02

-5.07%

Cappuccino

$5.90 $5.90

$4.78 $4.78

23.43%

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

$2.77 $2.77

$2.54 $2.54

9.06%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.10 $2.10

$2.19 $2.19

-4.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.92 $5.92

$5.11 $5.11

15.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.06 $7.06

$6.90 $6.90

2.32%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.00 $1.00

$1.26 $1.26

-20.63%

White Bread (500g)

$3.96 $3.96

$4.54 $4.54

-12.78%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.54 $5.54

$6.98 $6.98

-20.63%

Eggs

$4.73 $4.73

$3.27 $3.27

44.65%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.41 $15.41

$22.42 $22.42

-31.27%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.83 $9.83

$16.21 $16.21

-39.36%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.13 $18.13

$15.72 $15.72

15.33%

Apples (1kg)

$4.68 $4.68

$6.66 $6.66

-29.73%

Banana (1kg)

$1.29 $1.29

$1.72 $1.72

-25.00%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.00 $5.00

$6.52 $6.52

-23.31%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.77 $5.77

$6.00 $6.00

-3.83%

Potato (1kg)

$2.24 $2.24

$5.13 $5.13

-56.34%

Onion (1kg)

$3.50 $3.50

$3.10 $3.10

12.90%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.72 $1.72

$2.05 $2.05

-16.10%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.18 $2.18

$2.23 $2.23

-2.24%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.95 $8.95

$11.61 $11.61

-22.91%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.26 $15.26

$12.14 $12.14

25.70%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.84 $1.84

$1.40 $1.40

31.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.05 $2.05

30.24%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.06 $2.06

$3.42 $3.42

-39.77%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$102 $102

$89.6 $89.6

13.86%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.70 $4.70

$3.27 $3.27

43.73%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.26 $1.26

$2.37 $2.37

-46.84%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$17.68 $17.68

$39.83 $39.83

-55.61%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$1.25 $1.25

-22.40%

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

$36.2K $36.2K

$32.3K $32.3K

12.04%

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

$25.2K $25.2K

$24.0K $24.0K

4.65%

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

$208 $208

$191 $191

9.21%

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

$57.9 $57.9

$50.6 $50.6

14.42%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.0 $66.0

$67.6 $67.6

-2.43%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.13 $40.13

$64.9 $64.9

-38.17%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.20 $17.20

Cinema Ticket

$11.82 $11.82

$15.03 $15.03

-21.36%

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

$1,487 $1,487

$2,817 $2,817

-47.20%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.8K $15.8K

$5,898 $5,898

167.89%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.5 $53.5

$69.7 $69.7

-23.24%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.68 $47.68

$45.85 $45.85

3.99%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.6 $94.6

$110 $110

-13.73%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$118 $118

$144 $144

-18.09%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,236 $1,236

$1,834 $1,834

-32.57%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$998 $998

$1,591 $1,591

-37.29%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,319 $2,319

$2,799 $2,799

-17.14%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,734 $1,734

$2,311 $2,311

-24.96%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,397 $2,397

$3,265 $3,265

-26.57%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,273 $2,273

$2,711 $2,711

-16.16%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,493 $3,493

$3,975 $3,975

-12.11%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.2

6.1

1.64%

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

Last update for Norfolk, VA: August 30, 2026

Last update for Auburn, CA: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,236 in Norfolk, VA versus $1,834 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 14% higher in Auburn, CA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $90.0 in Norfolk, VA versus $89.0 in Auburn, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $412 in Norfolk, VA vs $486 in Auburn, CA – so Norfolk, VA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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: $2,361 in Norfolk, VA, $3,112 in Auburn, CA – roughly 32% apart. Auburn, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,541 per month in Norfolk, VA and $4,668 in Auburn, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $1,487 per month in Norfolk, VA and $2,817 in Auburn, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 18% more in Auburn, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,361 in Norfolk, VA and $3,112 in Auburn, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Norfolk, VA – 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 Norfolk, VA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Auburn, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.