Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Durham
44.0%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 235,037 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 7.7% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 34.4% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 3.7% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 9.9% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $64,017 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $37,433 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.1% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 17.3% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 32.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 45.7% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 39.9% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.4% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.4% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.9% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.1% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.7% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Durham, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 60.6°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 50.8 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.4 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, 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 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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