Norfolk VA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.1 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 44.0% | 36.1% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 39.8% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $60,698 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,080 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 22.0% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 319 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 34.5 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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