New Rochelle NY 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)
New Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
New Rochelle
48,198
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Rochelle
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
New Rochelle
40.7
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
New Rochelle
4.6%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
New Rochelle
66.1%
New Rochelle +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
New Rochelle
17.8%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
New Rochelle
2.3%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
New Rochelle
8.0%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
New Rochelle
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,198 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 66.1% | 44.0% | New Rochelle + |
| Black | 17.8% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Rochelle
$48,535
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
New Rochelle
$30,033
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
New Rochelle
9.7%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
New Rochelle
23.7%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Rochelle
22.8%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,535 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,033 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,581 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.7% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Rochelle
$920,484
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $920,484 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 45.7% | New Rochelle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
434
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
1736
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 39.9% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.4% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 19.4% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.9% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.1% | New Rochelle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.7% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
New Rochelle +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Rochelle
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | New Rochelle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 24.4 min | New Rochelle + |
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 434 in New Rochelle. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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