Miami 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Miami
34.2%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 235,037 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 7.7% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 13.7% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 9.9% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $37,433 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.1% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 32.7% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Miami, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 39.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 19.4% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.1% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.7% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 50.8 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, 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 324 in Miami. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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