($1,388) Movers From Columbus, OH to Norfolk, VA

What to know before moving from Columbus to Norfolk

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

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

• Rent prices in Norfolk are 4% higher than in Columbus, 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 Columbus.
  Home prices in Norfolk are 18.9% higher than in Columbus.
• Income in Norfolk is 2.4% lower than in Columbus, so you could earn less 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 is the same in Norfolk and Columbus. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Norfolk is 23.4% lower than in Columbus.
• The unemployment rate in Norfolk is 28.07% higher than in Columbus.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Norfolk, since the city’s sales taxes in Norfolk are 20.00% lower than in Columbus.
• State income taxes in Norfolk are 64.29% higher than in Columbus.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,983.84 in Norfolk to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbus.

How life is different in Columbus vs. Norfolk

• Norfolk might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 74% less than Columbus.
• Norfolk offers better access to buses and trains than Columbus, based on public transportation ratings. Norfolk has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 5 in Columbus. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Norfolk means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Columbus. Norfolk is considered more walkable than Columbus, with a score of 46 out of 100 versus 41 out of 100 in Columbus. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Norfolk and Columbus are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 47 and 48 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 Columbus, 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 49.65 in Columbus. 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 Columbus, whose index is Columbus's 50.35. 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 Columbus 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 Columbus 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