Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Newark
16.5%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 235,037 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 7.7% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 46.7% | 39.8% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 9.9% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $69,581 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Norfolk
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 240 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1726 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 39.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.1% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 60.6°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 50.8 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Norfolk. 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, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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