($1,615) Movers From San Diego, CA to Norfolk, VA

What to know before moving from San Diego to Norfolk

Moving from San Diego to Norfolk means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in San Diego than in Norfolk, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how San Diego compares to Norfolk so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Norfolk are 48% lower than in San Diego, 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 71.7% lower than in San Diego.
• Income in Norfolk is 13.0% lower than in San Diego, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Norfolk include CMA CGM, Norfolk Southern Railway, and PRA Group.
• The cost of living for a single person in Norfolk is 17.2% lower than in San Diego. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Norfolk is 28.1% lower than in San Diego.
• The unemployment rate in Norfolk is 10.61% higher than in San Diego.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Norfolk, since the city’s sales taxes in Norfolk are 22.58% lower than in San Diego.
• One perk of moving to Norfolk is paying less in state income taxes, which are 56.77% lower than in San Diego.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,482.67 in Norfolk to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Diego.

How life is different in San Diego vs. Norfolk

• Norfolk might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 83% less than San Diego.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Norfolk will be about the same as it currently is in San Diego. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Norfolk neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as San Diego. Based on its score of 46 out of 100, Norfolk isn’t as walkable as San Diego, which has a score of 53 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• If cycling is your thing, Norfolk is considered more bike-friendly than San Diego 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 San Diego is rated as 43 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Norfolk is higher than in San Diego, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 58.1 in Norfolk, it is 39.83 in San Diego. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Norfolk. With a crime index of 41.9, Norfolk ranks lower in overall safety than San Diego, whose index is San Diego's 60.17. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Norfolk has better air quality than in San Diego. Norfolk has Good air quality, compared to moderate in San Diego. 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 San Diego 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