Glendale AZ 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)
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
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
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Glendale +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Glendale +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 235,037 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 7.7% | Glendale + |
| White | 72.7% | 44.0% | Glendale + |
| Black | 3.4% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 3.7% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 9.9% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $64,017 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $37,433 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 6.1% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 17.3% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 32.7% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 45.7% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Glendale +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Glendale +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Glendale +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Glendale +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 39.9% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.4% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.4% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.1% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.7% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | 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.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, 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 450 in Glendale. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
Compare More Cities
Glendale, AZ vs New York, NYGlendale, AZ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Glendale, AZGlendale, AZ vs Houston, TXGlendale, AZ vs Phoenix, AZGlendale, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA