True Cost of Renting in Norfolk, VA

Norfolk is home to Naval Station Norfolk — the world's largest naval base — making it the anchor of Hampton Roads' economy and rental market. The Ghent neighborhood offers one of Virginia's most walkable and culturally rich urban environments outside of Richmond, with Old Dominion University, a growing medical district, and the nationally recognized NEON arts district adding depth to a city that gets overlooked by coastal visitors.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Ghent

Studio:
$1,200/mo
1 Bed:
$1,400/mo
2 Bed:
$1,900/mo

Norfolk's premier neighborhood; walkable to Colonial Place, Colley Avenue restaurants, and the Chrysler Museum. Mix of historic apartments in rowhouses and newer buildings. Street parking generally available. The Tide light rail connects to Downtown Norfolk. Best walkability in Hampton Roads.

Downtown Norfolk / NEON

Studio:
$1,300/mo
1 Bed:
$1,500/mo
2 Bed:
$2,000/mo

Norfolk's revitalized downtown with NEON arts district, Granby Street corridor, and The Tide light rail. Newer apartments and loft conversions. Dominion Energy electric. On-site parking $75–100/mo.

Ocean View

1 Bed:
$1,300/mo
2 Bed:
$1,800/mo

Waterfront neighborhood on the Chesapeake Bay north of Naval Station Norfolk; lower rents than Ghent with beach access. Some flood risk in low-lying areas. Military families frequent this area for proximity to the base.

Utility Providers

Electric
Dominion Energy Virginia
Water
City of Norfolk Public Utilities
Internet
Cox Communications, Verizon Fios, T-Mobile Home Internet

Commute & Transportation

Naval Station Norfolk's main gate on Hampton Boulevard is 5 miles from Ghent — a standard 10–15 minute commute. The Tide light rail runs from the Eastern Medical Center through ODU and Ghent to Downtown Norfolk — car-free commuting viable for these corridors. I-264 connects to Virginia Beach; the HRBT (I-64) connects to Hampton and Newport News. ODU (24,000 students) is adjacent to Ghent. Sentara Norfolk General and Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters are major healthcare employers near Downtown.

Rental Market Overview

Norfolk rents are supported by permanent naval employment but run below Virginia Beach for comparable quality — the Ghent walkability premium is offset by slightly lower overall price levels. BAH for E-5 with dependents (Hampton Roads area) runs $1,600–1,800/month. Dominion Energy bills average $100–160/month. The NEON arts district revitalization and continued ODU growth are driving new apartment investment Downtown. Renters insurance averages $15–22/month.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Norfolk

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Norfolk: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Norfolk?
One-bedroom apartments in Norfolk range from $1,300/month in Ocean View to $1,500/month in Downtown Norfolk / NEON. Two-bedroom units range from $1,800 to $2,000/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Norfolk?
In Norfolk, electricity is provided by Dominion Energy Virginia, water by City of Norfolk Public Utilities, and common internet providers include Cox Communications, Verizon Fios, T-Mobile Home Internet. Check whether your lease includes water or trash — some buildings bundle these into rent while others charge separately. Always ask the leasing office for the average monthly utility bill before signing.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Norfolk?
Ocean View is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Norfolk, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,300/month. Waterfront neighborhood on the Chesapeake Bay north of Naval Station Norfolk; lower rents than Ghent with beach access. Some flood risk in low-lying areas. Military families frequent this area for proximity to the base. Remember to factor in commute costs and parking fees when comparing neighborhoods — a cheaper base rent farther from work may cost more overall.
Is Norfolk expensive to rent in?
Norfolk rents are supported by permanent naval employment but run below Virginia Beach for comparable quality — the Ghent walkability premium is offset by slightly lower overall price levels. BAH for E-5 with dependents (Hampton Roads area) runs $1,600–1,800/month. Use RentCompare to calculate the true all-in cost for any apartment in Norfolk — base rent alone does not tell the full story.

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