($1,230) Movers From Rochester, NY to Norfolk, VA

What to know before moving from Rochester to Norfolk

Moving from Rochester to Norfolk comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Norfolk is generally more expensive than Rochester, 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 20% higher than in Rochester, 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 Rochester.
  Home prices in Norfolk are 41.5% higher than in Rochester.
• Income in Norfolk is 1.1% lower than in Rochester, 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 21.8% higher than in Rochester. 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 12.8% higher than in Rochester.
• The unemployment rate in Norfolk is 25.51% lower than in Rochester.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Norfolk, since the city’s sales taxes in Norfolk are 25.00% lower than in Rochester.
• One perk of moving to Norfolk is paying less in state income taxes, which are 47.25% lower than in Rochester.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,653.03 in Norfolk to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Rochester.

How life is different in Rochester vs. Norfolk

• The population of Norfolk is about 13% greater than Rochester, 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 Rochester. 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 Rochester. Based on its score of 46 out of 100, Norfolk isn’t as walkable as Rochester, which has a score of 61 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 Rochester. While Rochester has a bike-friendliness score of 60 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 Rochester, 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 37.54 in Rochester. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Norfolk than in Rochester, based on Norfolk’s safety index of 41.9 versus 36.66 for Rochester. 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 Rochester 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 Rochester 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