Milwaukee WI 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Norfolk
32.4
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 235,037 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 32.4 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 7.7% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 38.6% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 9.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $310,519 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1726 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.4% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 60.6°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 50.8 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.4 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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