Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 7.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 44.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 9.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $64,017 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $37,433 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 17.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 32.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 45.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 39.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 50.8 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, 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 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Lauderdale, FL vs New York, NYFort Lauderdale, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Lauderdale, FLFort Lauderdale, FL vs Houston, TXFort Lauderdale, FL vs Phoenix, AZFort Lauderdale, FL vs Philadelphia, PA