Abilene TX vs Norfolk VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 66.6% | 44.0% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 9.9% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.1% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 17.3% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $310,519 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 45.7% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 39.9% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.4% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.4% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.1% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 50.8 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 24.4 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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