($1,227) Movers From Buffalo, NY to Norfolk, VA

What to know before moving from Buffalo to Norfolk

Moving from Buffalo to Norfolk comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Norfolk is generally more expensive than Buffalo, 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 25% higher than in Buffalo, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Buffalo.
  Home prices in Norfolk are 33.0% higher than in Buffalo.
• Income is the same in Norfolk and Buffalo. 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 7.0% higher than in Buffalo. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Norfolk is 2.9% lower than in Buffalo.
• The unemployment rate in Norfolk is 23.16% lower than in Buffalo.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Norfolk, since the city’s sales taxes in Norfolk are 31.43% lower than in Buffalo.
• One perk of moving to Norfolk is paying less in state income taxes, which are 47.25% lower than in Buffalo.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,208.57 in Norfolk to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Buffalo.

How life is different in Buffalo vs. Norfolk

• Norfolk might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 14% less than Buffalo.
• Getting around Norfolk without a car might be more difficult than in Buffalo. Norfolk has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Buffalo is ranked 7. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Norfolk neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Buffalo. Based on its score of 46 out of 100, Norfolk isn’t as walkable as Buffalo, which has a score of 67 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 Buffalo. While Buffalo has a bike-friendliness score of 63 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.
• The crime rate in Norfolk is higher than in Buffalo, 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 8.0 in Buffalo. 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 Buffalo, whose index is Buffalo's 53.55. 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 Buffalo. Norfolk has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Buffalo. 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 Buffalo 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