Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 7.7% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 44.0% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 3.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 9.9% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $64,017 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $37,433 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 17.3% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 32.7% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 39.9% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 19.4% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.9% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.1% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 13.7% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 60.6°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 50.8 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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