Norfolk VA vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Peoria
33.1
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 11,626 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.1 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 44.0% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 39.8% | 4.7% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.6% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Peoria
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $33,805 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $68,110 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 27.6% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Peoria
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 344 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1842 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.5% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.1% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 34.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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