Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 235,037 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 7.7% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 60.0% | 39.8% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $37,433 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $69,581 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 32.7% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $310,519 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 45.7% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1726 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 39.9% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.4% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.9% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.1% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 60.6°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 50.8 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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