City Comparison
Norfolk vs Alliance
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Norfolk scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Norfolk
Alliance
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alliance is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Norfolk.
Housing costs are a major driver: Norfolk's average rent is
70% higher than Alliance's.
| Metric | Norfolk | Alliance | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $647 | +70% |
| Groceries | $414 | $450 | -8% |
| Utilities | $184 | $180 | +2% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $250 | -52% |
| Monthly Total | $1,968 | $1,647 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alliance offers 45% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Alliance delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Norfolk is estimated at
$23,000 vs $55,000 in Alliance.
| Metric | Norfolk | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,980 | $65,160 |
| Salary Needed | $23,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,109 idx | 72,400 idx |
| Household Income | $58,884 | $65,160 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Norfolk runs warmer on average — a 51.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Norfolk comes out ahead with 271 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Norfolk sees 15.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Norfolk | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 14.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 27.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 271 | |
| Humidity | 67.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alliance has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Norfolk.
Norfolk scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Norfolk leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Norfolk | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 14.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Norfolk is the larger city
— approximately 3.2x the population of Alliance.
From a growth perspective, Norfolk is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Norfolk | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,054 | 8,075 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | — |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.70% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Norfolk
Advantages
Norfolk boasts a strong sense of community, fostering pride and unity among residents.
The city offers a variety of outdoor activities, including tubing, trails, and a whitewater park.
Crime rates in Norfolk are significantly lower than the national average, contributing to a safe living environment. [cite: 12, 14, 23, 29, 35 from previous search]
The cost of living, particularly housing, is more affordable compared to the national average. [cite: 6 from previous search]
Commute times are notably shorter than the national average, enhancing daily convenience. [cite: 2, 19 from previous search, 35 from previous search]
Drawbacks
Compared to larger cities, Norfolk has limited entertainment options.
Wages have not fully kept pace with inflation, impacting family budgets.
Despite overall affordability, finding truly affordable housing can still be a challenge.
Some residents perceive a 'snobby' community mindset or a lack of motivation for change.
The city experienced an overall employment decline rate between 2023 and 2024. [cite: 2, 3 from previous search]
Alliance
Advantages
Cost of living is 9% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 30% lower.
Violent crime rate is significantly lower than the national average, with 0 reported murders in 2024.
High homeownership rate of 75.2%.
Short average commute time of 10.6 minutes.
The Health Care & Social Assistance sector is a major employer in the city.
Drawbacks
Population has been declining slightly in recent years.
Walkability and transit scores are very low, indicating high car dependency.
Limited retail options within the city, requiring travel to nearby Scottsbluff for more extensive shopping.
The overall climate risk is rated as 'Relatively High'.
Drug activity is noted as a concern within the community.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Norfolk
#31Nebraska, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$35,980
Cost Index
92
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
271/yr
Avg Temp
51.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
2.70%
Livability
74
Business
68
Alliance
#193Nebraska, USA
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$647
Avg Salary
$65,160
Cost Index
90
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
14.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Norfolk and Alliance.
Open Cost Calculator