Modesto CA 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 7.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 44.0% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 3.7% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 9.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $64,017 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 17.3% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 45.7% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Norfolk
13.7%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 39.9% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.4% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.4% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.1% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.7% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 50.8 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 503 in Modesto. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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