Norfolk VA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Providence
32.9
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 190,214 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.9 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 44.0% | 40.7% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 39.8% | 13.3% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $36,694 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $64,538 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 20.1% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $429,449 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 41.2% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 19.6% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.6% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 27.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Norfolk. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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