Best overall value
Key factors that impact the cost of your Des Moines to Norfolk move
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Norfolk
Moving from Des Moines to Norfolk comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Norfolk is generally more expensive than Des Moines, itโs 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:
| Des Moines | Norfolk | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,150 | $1,500 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $283,890 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $63,484 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,891 | $2,769 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $5,552 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 5.75% |
- Rent prices in Norfolk are 30% higher than in Des Moines, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
Home prices in Norfolk are 47.6% higher than in Des Moines. - Income in Norfolk is 8.5% higher than in Des Moines, 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 46.4% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Norfolk, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Norfolk is 26.8% higher than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Norfolk is 23.73% higher than in Des Moines.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Norfolk, since the cityโs sales taxes in Norfolk are 14.29% lower than in Des Moines.
- State income taxes in Norfolk are 30.68% higher than in Des Moines.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,392.91 in Norfolk to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Norfolk
| Norfolk | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 238,005 | 699,292 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 46 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 47 | 39 |
| Crime Index | 58.1 | 5.0 |
| Safety Index | 41.9 | 57.8 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Norfolk might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 66% less than Des Moines.
- Norfolk offers better access to buses and trains than Des Moines, based on public transportation ratings. Norfolk has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 5 in Des Moines. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Youโll find Norfolk to be about as walkable as Des Moines. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 46 and 45 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
- If cycling is your thing, Norfolk is considered more bike-friendly than Des Moines 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 Des Moines is rated as 39 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Norfolk is higher than in Des Moines, 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 5.0 in Des Moines. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as youโre getting used to your new surroundings in Norfolk. With a crime index of 41.9, Norfolk ranks lower in overall safety than Des Moines, whose index is Des Moines's 57.8. 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.
- The air quality in Norfolk and Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- East Ghent
- North Ghent
- Ghent
- West Ghent
- Colonial Place
Best neighborhoods for families
- North Ghent
- Ghent
- Virginia Beach
- Edgewater-Larchmont
- East Ghent
Things to do in Norfolk
After settling into your new Virginia home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Norfolk has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Norfolk is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, Chrysler Museum of Art, Nauticus, MacArthur Memorial, and Hermitage Museum and Gardens.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Norfolk Botanical Garden, Pagoda & Oriental Garden, Town Point Park, and Lake Drummond โ among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Norfolk Tides (Baseball-International League (AAA)), Norfolk Admirals (Ice hockey), Old Dominion University (Football), or Old Dominion University (Basketball) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Norfolk?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Des Moines to Norfolk are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Des Moines are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Norfolk?
With many people choosing to move from Des Moines to Norfolk in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Norfolk take?
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Norfolk, VA covers 1,195 miles and usually takes two to eight days. Need to move faster? Some Des Moines movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Norfolk.
