($1,586) Movers From Bakersfield, CA to Norfolk, VA

What to know before moving from Bakersfield to Norfolk

Moving from Bakersfield to Norfolk comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Norfolk is generally more expensive than Bakersfield, 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 12% lower than in Bakersfield, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Norfolk.
  Home prices in Norfolk are 27.2% lower than in Bakersfield.
• Income in Norfolk is 14.0% lower than in Bakersfield, so you could earn less 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 11.1% higher than in Bakersfield. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Norfolk is 20.0% lower than in Bakersfield.
• The unemployment rate in Norfolk is 23.73% higher than in Bakersfield.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Norfolk, since the city’s sales taxes in Norfolk are 27.27% lower than in Bakersfield.
• One perk of moving to Norfolk is paying less in state income taxes, which are 56.77% lower than in Bakersfield.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,332.13 in Norfolk to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Bakersfield.

How life is different in Bakersfield vs. Norfolk

• Norfolk might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 74% less than Bakersfield.
• Norfolk offers better access to buses and trains than Bakersfield, based on public transportation ratings. Norfolk has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 4 in Bakersfield. 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 Bakersfield. Norfolk is considered more walkable than Bakersfield, with a score of 46 out of 100 versus 37 out of 100 in Bakersfield. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Norfolk and Bakersfield are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 47 and 44 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Norfolk as Bakersfield. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Norfolk is generally as safe as Bakersfield, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Norfolk and Bakersfield is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Bakersfield 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