New Rochelle NY vs Norwalk CA — 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Rochelle
48,198
Norwalk
100,713
Norwalk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Rochelle
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
New Rochelle
40.7
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Foreign Born
New Rochelle
4.6%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
New Rochelle
66.1%
New Rochelle +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
New Rochelle
17.8%
New Rochelle +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
New Rochelle
2.3%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
New Rochelle
8.0%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
New Rochelle
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,198 | 100,713 | Norwalk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 36.5 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 66.1% | 24.0% | New Rochelle + |
| Black | 17.8% | 4.2% | New Rochelle + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Rochelle
$48,535
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
New Rochelle
$30,033
Norwalk
$31,989
Norwalk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Norwalk
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
New Rochelle
9.7%
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Poverty Rate
New Rochelle
23.7%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Rochelle
22.8%
New Rochelle +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,535 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,033 | $31,989 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.6% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.7% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 21.3% | New Rochelle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Rochelle
$920,484
Norwalk
$765,319
Norwalk +
Homeownership Rate
New Rochelle
57.5%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $920,484 | $765,319 | Norwalk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
434
New Rochelle +
Norwalk
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
1736
New Rochelle +
Norwalk
2388
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | New Rochelle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | New Rochelle + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Norwalk
26.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Norwalk
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
Norwalk
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Norwalk
15.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Norwalk
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
Norwalk
10.5%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 26.9% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.7% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 16.1% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.4% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | New Rochelle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.5% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Rochelle
75.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
Norwalk
32.1 min
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 32.1 min | New Rochelle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while norwalk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,319. On public safety, New Rochelle is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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