Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 7.7% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 44.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 20.4% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 9.9% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $310,519 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 45.7% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.4% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.1% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 50.8 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.4 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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