Norfolk VA vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 114,303 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 44.0% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 39.8% | 1.1% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.2% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $62,800 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $26,755 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $60,713 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 22.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $486,127 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Provo
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 245 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1931 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 21.5% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.6% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, 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 245 in Provo. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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