Norfolk VA vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 39.3 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 44.0% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 39.8% | 9.0% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $507,575 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Plano, 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%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Plano, 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Plano, 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 +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 27.6 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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