Cost of Living Comparison

Compare living costs between military and civilian cities to plan your transition.

Compare Cities

City 1 (Current / From)

City 2 (Considering / To)

Overall(100 = national avg)

San Diego

146

Norfolk

Housing(100 = national avg)

San Diego

195

Norfolk

Groceries(100 = national avg)

San Diego

108

Norfolk

Utilities(100 = national avg)

San Diego

111

Norfolk

Transportation(100 = national avg)

San Diego

118

Norfolk

Healthcare(100 = national avg)

San Diego

107

Norfolk

San Diego, CA

Avg 1BR Rent$2,200/mo

Avg 2BR Rent$2,800/mo

Median Income$79,673

Norfolk, VA

Avg 1BR Rent$1,150/mo

Avg 2BR Rent$1,400/mo

Median Income$53,192

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Your current salary in San Diego

Equivalent salary in Norfolk

$32,192

To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need less income in Norfolk (-35.6% lower cost of living).

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All Cities

Region:

Near Base Only

City	Overall ▲	Housing	Grocery	Utilities	Transport	Health	1BR Rent
Killeen, TXBase	78	58	92	93	90	88	$800
Fayetteville, NCBase	82	62	96	95	88	95	$850
El Paso, TXBase	83	69	95	95	89	90	$850
Jacksonville, NCBase	84	67	97	96	91	93	$900
San Antonio, TXBase	90	78	93	100	93	92	$1,050
Columbus, OH	91	80	98	92	95	97	$1,050
Norfolk, VABase	94	85	98	99	96	92	$1,150
Raleigh, NC	99	101	97	95	97	100	$1,350
Tampa, FL	99	98	101	101	101	97	$1,400
Phoenix, AZ	100	101	99	103	99	97	$1,250
Nashville, TN	101	104	96	96	99	98	$1,400
Atlanta, GA	102	100	100	98	105	103	$1,500
Colorado Springs, COBase	103	108	100	94	98	101	$1,350
Austin, TX	103	112	96	101	97	95	$1,400
Minneapolis, MN	104	106	101	96	103	107	$1,250
Tacoma, WA (JBLM)Base	113	127	107	97	112	108	$1,500
Denver, CO	113	131	103	93	102	106	$1,600
Portland, OR	118	142	105	87	113	111	$1,550
San Diego, CABase	146	195	108	111	118	107	$2,200
Honolulu, HIBase	170	234	135	155	123	112	$2,400

Index: 100 = national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.

PCS & Relocation Tips

Research BAH Rates

BAH varies significantly by location. Check the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) for current rates. Some high-cost areas have BAH that doesn't fully cover housing.

Visit Before Committing

If possible, use your house-hunting trip (PTDY) wisely. Check commute times at rush hour, visit local schools, and explore neighborhoods at different times of day.

Consider Total Compensation

A lower salary in a cheaper city may stretch further. Factor in state income tax (some states have none), property tax, and local sales tax when comparing locations.

DITY/PPM Moves

Personally Procured Moves can earn extra cash, but get multiple quotes and weigh the effort. Keep every receipt and document weight tickets for reimbursement.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare living costs between military and civilian cities to plan your transition.

Compare Cities

City 1 (Current / From)

City 2 (Considering / To)

Overall(100 = national avg)

San Diego

146

Norfolk

Housing(100 = national avg)

San Diego

195

Norfolk

Groceries(100 = national avg)

San Diego

108

Norfolk

Utilities(100 = national avg)

San Diego

111

Norfolk

Transportation(100 = national avg)

San Diego

118

Norfolk

Healthcare(100 = national avg)

San Diego

107

Norfolk

San Diego, CA

Avg 1BR Rent$2,200/mo

Avg 2BR Rent$2,800/mo

Median Income$79,673

Norfolk, VA

Avg 1BR Rent$1,150/mo

Avg 2BR Rent$1,400/mo

Median Income$53,192

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Your current salary in San Diego

Equivalent salary in Norfolk

$32,192

To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need less income in Norfolk (-35.6% lower cost of living).

Email yourself a copy of this result

We'll send your result so you can save it for when you actually need it. Free, no account — and you can unsubscribe in one click.

Or create a free account to save your results and track your progress across devices. Always free.

All Cities

Region:

Near Base Only

City	Overall ▲	Housing	Grocery	Utilities	Transport	Health	1BR Rent
Killeen, TXBase	78	58	92	93	90	88	$800
Fayetteville, NCBase	82	62	96	95	88	95	$850
El Paso, TXBase	83	69	95	95	89	90	$850
Jacksonville, NCBase	84	67	97	96	91	93	$900
San Antonio, TXBase	90	78	93	100	93	92	$1,050
Columbus, OH	91	80	98	92	95	97	$1,050
Norfolk, VABase	94	85	98	99	96	92	$1,150
Raleigh, NC	99	101	97	95	97	100	$1,350
Tampa, FL	99	98	101	101	101	97	$1,400
Phoenix, AZ	100	101	99	103	99	97	$1,250
Nashville, TN	101	104	96	96	99	98	$1,400
Atlanta, GA	102	100	100	98	105	103	$1,500
Colorado Springs, COBase	103	108	100	94	98	101	$1,350
Austin, TX	103	112	96	101	97	95	$1,400
Minneapolis, MN	104	106	101	96	103	107	$1,250
Tacoma, WA (JBLM)Base	113	127	107	97	112	108	$1,500
Denver, CO	113	131	103	93	102	106	$1,600
Portland, OR	118	142	105	87	113	111	$1,550
San Diego, CABase	146	195	108	111	118	107	$2,200
Honolulu, HIBase	170	234	135	155	123	112	$2,400

Index: 100 = national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.

PCS & Relocation Tips

Research BAH Rates

BAH varies significantly by location. Check the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) for current rates. Some high-cost areas have BAH that doesn't fully cover housing.

Visit Before Committing

If possible, use your house-hunting trip (PTDY) wisely. Check commute times at rush hour, visit local schools, and explore neighborhoods at different times of day.

Consider Total Compensation

A lower salary in a cheaper city may stretch further. Factor in state income tax (some states have none), property tax, and local sales tax when comparing locations.

DITY/PPM Moves

Personally Procured Moves can earn extra cash, but get multiple quotes and weigh the effort. Keep every receipt and document weight tickets for reimbursement.