Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Montgomery
198,440
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 27.7% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 63.0% | 39.8% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 32.7% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $310,519 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 45.7% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.4% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.1% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 50.8 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.4 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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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