Louisville KY 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)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
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
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 235,037 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 7.7% | Louisville + |
| White | 63.1% | 44.0% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $64,017 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $37,433 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.1% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 17.3% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 32.7% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $310,519 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 45.7% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Norfolk
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 240 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1726 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 50.8 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 24.4 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Norfolk. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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