Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 235,037 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 36.7% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 46.8% | 39.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 9.9% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $310,519 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.1% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 60.6°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 50.8 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.4 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. 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, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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