Norfolk VA vs Oklahoma City OK — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.0 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 44.0% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 39.8% | 13.4% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $37,109 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $57,929 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 34.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Oklahoma City
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 429 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2375 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 38.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.6% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.0% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.9% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 23.6 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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