Norfolk VA vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 125,273 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 41.3 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 44.0% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 39.8% | 19.3% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.1% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $34,474 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 22.6% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Palm Bay
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.0% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.2% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.5% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 29.6 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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