Norfolk VA vs Pasadena TX — 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 125,983 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.5 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 44.0% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 39.8% | 18.1% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Pasadena
39.1%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Pasadena
17.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 39.1% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.6% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 32.1% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 17.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.6% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Pasadena, TX | 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
Norfolk +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 36.1 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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