Norfolk VA vs Port St. Lucie FL — 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%
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 220,453 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 43.7 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 19.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 44.0% | 60.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Black | 39.8% | 19.2% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.2% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 23.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $78,137 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $36,352 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 8.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 26.8% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $327,700 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 83.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Port St. Lucie
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 30.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.5% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Port St. Lucie, FL | 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
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 32.0 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, 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 324 in Port St. Lucie. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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