($836) Movers From Chapel Hill, NC to Norfolk, VA

What to know before moving from Chapel Hill to Norfolk

Moving from Chapel Hill to Norfolk comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Norfolk is generally more expensive than Chapel Hill, 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 23% lower than in Chapel Hill, 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 52.1% lower than in Chapel Hill.
• Income in Norfolk is 3.3% lower than in Chapel Hill, 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 23.2% higher than in Chapel Hill. 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 15.9% higher than in Chapel Hill.
• The unemployment rate in Norfolk is 128.13% higher than in Chapel Hill.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Norfolk, since the city’s sales taxes in Norfolk are 20.00% lower than in Chapel Hill.
• State income taxes in Norfolk are 27.78% higher than in Chapel Hill.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,695.28 in Norfolk to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chapel Hill.

How life is different in Chapel Hill vs. Norfolk

• The population of Norfolk is about 273% greater than Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill. 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.
• Living in Norfolk means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Chapel Hill. Norfolk is considered more walkable than Chapel Hill, with a score of 46 out of 100 versus 34 out of 100 in Chapel Hill. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Norfolk and Chapel Hill are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 47 and 50 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.
• The crime rate in Norfolk is higher than in Chapel Hill, 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 26.42 in Chapel Hill. 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 Chapel Hill, whose index is Chapel Hill's 73.58. 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 Chapel Hill. Norfolk has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Chapel Hill. 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 Chapel Hill 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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). Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Virginia, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toNorfolk Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Norfolk

Now that you’ve chosen "Norfolk" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Norfolk to check out.

Helpful moving resources