Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 235,037 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 11.7% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 76.8% | 39.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $310,519 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 45.7% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.1% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 60.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 50.8 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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