Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Flint
34.4%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 34.4% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 56.6% | 39.8% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $310,519 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 45.7% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Flint, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.1% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 60.6°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 50.8 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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