Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Houston
35.5%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 235,037 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 7.7% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 22.9% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.7% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 9.9% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $37,433 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 32.7% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $310,519 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 39.9% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 19.4% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.7% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 50.8 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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