Eugene OR 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)
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
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
Eugene
177,520
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 78.9% | 44.0% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.7% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 9.9% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $37,433 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 32.7% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 45.7% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 39.9% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.9% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.1% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.7% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 60.6°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 50.8 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 24.4 min | Eugene + |
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, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Eugene. 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, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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