Minneapolis MN 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)
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
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
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 235,037 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.7% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 44.0% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 18.3% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $64,017 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $37,433 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.1% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 17.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 32.7% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 45.7% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 39.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 19.4% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.1% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 60.6°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 50.8 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 24.4 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, 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 284 in Minneapolis. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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