Norfolk VA vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 68,505 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.5 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 44.0% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 39.8% | 9.0% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.2% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 3.1% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $61,587 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $561,069 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 18.3% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Norfolk. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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