($952) Movers From Wilmington, DE to Norfolk, VA

What to know before moving from Wilmington to Norfolk

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

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

• Rent prices in Norfolk are 17% lower than in Wilmington, 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 7.8% lower than in Wilmington.
• Income in Norfolk is 28.6% higher than in Wilmington, so you could earn more 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 21.6% lower than in Wilmington. 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 27.6% higher than in Wilmington.
• The unemployment rate in Norfolk is 29.13% lower than in Wilmington.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Norfolk, since the city’s sales taxes in Norfolk are 6.00% higher than in Wilmington.
• One perk of moving to Norfolk is paying less in state income taxes, which are 12.88% lower than in Wilmington.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,351.26 in Norfolk to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Wilmington.

How life is different in Wilmington vs. Norfolk

• The population of Norfolk is about 236% greater than Wilmington, 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.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Norfolk will be about the same as it currently is in Wilmington. 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 Wilmington. Based on its score of 46 out of 100, Norfolk isn’t as walkable as Wilmington, which has a score of 74 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.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Norfolk, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Wilmington. While Wilmington has a bike-friendliness score of 52 out of 100, Norfolk earned a 47. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Norfolk has a lower crime rate than Wilmington based on scores of 58.1 and Wilmington's 67.32, 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 Wilmington, based on Norfolk’s safety index of 41.9 versus 32.68 for Wilmington. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Norfolk and Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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