El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 235,037 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 7.7% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 3.6% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 9.9% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $310,519 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 45.7% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 39.9% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.4% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.1% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.7% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 50.8 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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