Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Norfolk
32.4
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 32.4 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 7.7% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 44.0% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.7% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 9.9% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.1% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 32.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 50.8 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 24.4 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Athens, GA vs New York, NYAthens, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAthens, GA vs Chicago, ILAthens, GA vs Houston, TXAthens, GA vs Phoenix, AZAthens, GA vs Philadelphia, PA