Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 7.7% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 17.1% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 9.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $69,581 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 17.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Norfolk
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 240 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1726 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 39.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.4% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | 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
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Norfolk. 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, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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