Medford OR 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)
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
32.4
Foreign Born
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Medford, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 235,037 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 44.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 39.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Medford
$63,691
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Medford, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $64,017 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $37,433 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 32.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Medford
$410,269
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Medford, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $410,269 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 45.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Medford
355
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Medford
3001
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Medford, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Medford
33.0%
Medford +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Medford
11.9%
Medford +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Medford
19.1%
Medford +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Medford
10.4%
Medford +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Medford
15.2%
Medford +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Medford
13.6%
Medford +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Medford, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.0% | 39.9% | Medford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.4% | Medford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.4% | Medford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.9% | Medford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.1% | Medford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.7% | Medford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Medford
55.6°F
Medford +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Medford
18.4 in
Medford +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Medford, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 60.6°F | Medford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.4 in | 50.8 in | Medford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Medford
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Medford, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Medford
N/A
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Medford, OR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 355 in Medford. Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Medford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
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