Norfolk VA vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.3 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 44.0% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 39.8% | 11.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $66,354 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Omaha
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 294 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1960 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.0% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 20.0% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.2% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Omaha. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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