($1,521) Movers From Montgomery, AL to Norfolk, VA

What to know before moving from Montgomery to Norfolk

Moving from Montgomery to Norfolk comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Norfolk is generally more expensive than Montgomery, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Norfolk are 25% higher than in Montgomery, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Montgomery.
  Home prices in Norfolk are 102.0% higher than in Montgomery.
• Income in Norfolk is 27.0% higher than in Montgomery, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Norfolk include CMA CGM, Norfolk Southern Railway, and PRA Group.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Norfolk, since the cost of living for a single person in Norfolk is 67.7% higher than in Montgomery. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Norfolk, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Norfolk is 55.6% higher than in Montgomery.
• The unemployment rate in Norfolk is 25.86% higher than in Montgomery.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Norfolk, since the city’s sales taxes in Norfolk are 40.00% lower than in Montgomery.
• State income taxes in Norfolk are 15.00% higher than in Montgomery.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,031.50 in Norfolk to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Montgomery.

How life is different in Montgomery vs. Norfolk

• The population of Norfolk is about 19% greater than Montgomery, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Norfolk offers better access to buses and trains than Montgomery, based on public transportation ratings. Norfolk has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 2 in Montgomery. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Norfolk means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Montgomery. Norfolk is considered more walkable than Montgomery, with a score of 46 out of 100 versus 26 out of 100 in Montgomery. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Norfolk is considered more bike-friendly than Montgomery in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Norfolk has a bike-friendliness score of 47 out of 100, while Montgomery is rated as 33 out of 100.
• Norfolk has a lower crime rate than Montgomery based on scores of 58.1 and Montgomery's 65.25, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Norfolk than in Montgomery, based on Norfolk’s safety index of 41.9 versus 34.75 for Montgomery. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Norfolk has better air quality than in Montgomery. Norfolk has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Montgomery. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Montgomery vs. Norfolk move

• Weather: If you are considering a move to Norfolk, plan your move on the months of May, October and September as these are the most pleasant months in Norfolk, while July and January are the least comfortable months.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Virginia does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Norfolk. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Norfolk

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Norfolk", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Norfolk.

Helpful moving resources