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 $2,950 per month in Norfolk, VA vs $3,050 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,097 per month in Norfolk, VA vs $4,286 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,243 per month in Norfolk, VA vs $5,523 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

Norfolk, VA is about 3% cheaper than Auburn, CA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Norfolk, VA and Auburn, CA sit above the global median – Norfolk, VA by 120%, Auburn, CA by 128%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$25.13 $25.13

-20.97%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.7 $75.7

$91.6 $91.6

-17.41%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.14 $12.14

$12.24 $12.24

-0.82%

Cappuccino

$5.45 $5.45

$4.87 $4.87

11.91%

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

$2.27 $2.27

$2.60 $2.60

-12.69%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

$2.19 $2.19

-4.57%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.15 $6.15

$5.09 $5.09

20.83%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.94 $6.94

$7.05 $7.05

-1.56%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.85 $0.85

$1.27 $1.27

-33.07%

White Bread (500g)

$4.22 $4.22

$4.54 $4.54

-7.05%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.53 $5.53

$6.29 $6.29

-12.08%

Eggs

$4.57 $4.57

$3.32 $3.32

37.65%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.76 $13.76

$20.68 $20.68

-33.46%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.33 $11.33

$14.64 $14.64

-22.61%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.45 $16.45

$17.05 $17.05

-3.52%

Apples (1kg)

$4.63 $4.63

$7.58 $7.58

-38.92%

Banana (1kg)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.69 $1.69

-15.98%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.72 $5.72

$6.51 $6.51

-12.14%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.24 $6.24

$6.31 $6.31

-1.11%

Potato (1kg)

$2.23 $2.23

$4.39 $4.39

-49.20%

Onion (1kg)

$3.24 $3.24

$3.43 $3.43

-5.54%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.70 $1.70

$2.05 $2.05

-17.07%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$2.19 $2.19

-3.20%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.05 $9.05

$11.06 $11.06

-18.17%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$11.87 $11.87

24.68%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.82 $1.82

$1.47 $1.47

23.81%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.97 $2.97

$2.04 $2.04

45.59%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.02 $2.02

1.49%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$103 $103

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.78 $4.78

$3.44 $3.44

38.95%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.33 $1.33

$1.99 $1.99

-33.17%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$15.11 $15.11

$39.48 $39.48

-61.73%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.81 $0.81

$1.24 $1.24

-34.68%

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

$29.5K $29.5K

$24.0K $24.0K

22.89%

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

$26.9K $26.9K

$24.7K $24.7K

9.15%

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

$185 $185

$271 $271

-31.86%

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

$48.92 $48.92

$49.22 $49.22

-0.61%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.0 $71.0

$71.5 $71.5

-0.69%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.69 $39.69

$66.3 $66.3

-40.12%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.34 $17.34

Cinema Ticket

$11.96 $11.96

$14.25 $14.25

-16.07%

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

$1,473 $1,473

$2,725 $2,725

-45.95%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.0K $16.0K

$6,074 $6,074

164.00%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.8 $59.8

$54.1 $54.1

10.42%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.32 $46.32

$40.05 $40.05

15.66%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.7 $99.7

$64.7 $64.7

54.21%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$139 $139

$123 $123

13.35%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,874 $1,874

$1,844 $1,844

1.62%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,616 $1,616

$1,583 $1,583

2.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,495 $2,495

$2,745 $2,745

-9.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,309 $2,309

$2,340 $2,340

-1.32%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,435 $2,435

$3,313 $3,313

-26.51%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,271 $2,271

$2,667 $2,667

-14.87%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,500 $3,500

$4,076 $4,076

-14.12%

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: May 31, 2026

Last update for Auburn, CA: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,874 in Norfolk, VA versus $1,844 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 16% 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 $76.0 in Norfolk, VA versus $92.0 in Auburn, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $414 vs $478 – 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: $2,950 in Norfolk, VA, $3,050 in Auburn, CA – roughly 3% apart. Auburn, CA costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,426 per month in Norfolk, VA and $4,575 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.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,950 in Norfolk, VA and $3,050 in Auburn, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,473 per month in Norfolk, VA and $2,725 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 $2,950 in Norfolk, VA and $3,050 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.