Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 235,037 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 7.7% | Mesa + |
| White | 69.7% | 44.0% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 9.9% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $64,017 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $37,433 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.1% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 17.3% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 45.7% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 39.9% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.4% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 19.4% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.7% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 50.8 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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