Jacksonville 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 235,037 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 7.7% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 51.2% | 44.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 30.1% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 3.7% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 9.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $64,017 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 17.3% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $310,519 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 45.7% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 39.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.4% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 50.8 in | Jacksonville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Jacksonville. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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