Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Norfolk
32.4
Tie
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 235,037 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.4 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 7.7% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 6.7% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 3.7% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 9.9% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $64,017 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 45.7% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 39.9% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.4% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 50.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.4 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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