Norfolk VA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.8 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 44.0% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 39.8% | 7.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 32.3% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $411,323 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 450 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2150 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 72.1°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 27.7 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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