Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 235,037 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 7.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 28.4% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 3.7% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 9.9% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $64,017 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $37,433 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 17.3% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 32.7% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 39.9% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.4% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.4% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.1% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.7% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 60.6°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 50.8 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, 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 344 in Chicago. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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