($1,381) Movers From Chattanooga, TN to Norfolk, VA

What to know before moving from Chattanooga to Norfolk

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

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

• Rent prices in Norfolk are 2% higher than in Chattanooga, 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 Norfolk.
  Home prices in Norfolk are 6.2% lower than in Chattanooga.
• Income in Norfolk is 5.5% higher than in Chattanooga, so you could earn more 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 in Norfolk is 16.1% lower than in Chattanooga. 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 27.6% higher than in Chattanooga.
• The unemployment rate in Norfolk is 30.36% higher than in Chattanooga.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Norfolk, since the city’s sales taxes in Norfolk are 35.14% lower than in Chattanooga.
• State income taxes in Norfolk are 5.75% higher than in Chattanooga.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,517.27 in Norfolk to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chattanooga.

How life is different in Chattanooga vs. Norfolk

• The population of Norfolk is about 31% greater than Chattanooga, 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.
• Norfolk offers better access to buses and trains than Chattanooga, based on public transportation ratings. Norfolk has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 3 in Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga. Norfolk is considered more walkable than Chattanooga, with a score of 46 out of 100 versus 29 out of 100 in Chattanooga. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Norfolk is considered more bike-friendly than Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga is rated as 35 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Norfolk is higher than in Chattanooga, 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 53.89 in Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga, whose index is Chattanooga's 46.11. 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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). Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Virginia, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Virginia doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Norfolk without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Norfolk

With your sights set on "Norfolk", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Norfolk.

Helpful moving resources