Norfolk VA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 86,973 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.3 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 44.0% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 39.8% | 1.9% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.6% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $33,579 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $60,713 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 25.6% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $509,396 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Orem
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 245 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1931 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.5% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 24.5 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, 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 245 in Orem. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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