Columbus 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 39.3% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 46.7% | 39.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $310,519 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 45.7% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
40.3%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.4% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.1% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Columbus +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 50.8 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. 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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