Norfolk VA vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Paterson
N/A
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 44.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 39.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $527,542 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 28.6% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.4% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Paterson, NJ | 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 +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Norfolk. Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Norfolk, VALos Angeles, CA vs Norfolk, VAChicago, IL vs Norfolk, VAHouston, TX vs Norfolk, VANorfolk, VA vs Phoenix, AZNorfolk, VA vs Philadelphia, PA