Norfolk VA vs Quincy MA — 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%
Quincy, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 101,361
- Median HH Income$95,711
- Median Home Price$679,883
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+48.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Quincy
101,361
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Quincy
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Quincy
39.0
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Quincy
32.7%
Quincy +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Quincy
55.6%
Quincy +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Quincy
6.5%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Quincy
29.2%
Quincy +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Quincy
5.8%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Quincy
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 101,361 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 39.0 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 32.7% | Quincy + |
| White | 44.0% | 55.6% | Quincy + |
| Black | 39.8% | 6.5% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 29.2% | Quincy + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 5.8% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Quincy
$95,711
Quincy +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Quincy
$53,273
Quincy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Quincy
$85,405
Quincy +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Quincy
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Quincy
11.4%
Quincy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Quincy
48.6%
Quincy +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $95,711 | Quincy + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $53,273 | Quincy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,405 | Quincy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 11.4% | Quincy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 48.6% | Quincy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Quincy
$679,883
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
Quincy
45.0%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $679,883 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 45.0% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Quincy
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Quincy
1086
Quincy +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 326 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1086 | Quincy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Quincy
22.9%
Quincy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Quincy
10.1%
Quincy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Quincy
15.5%
Quincy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Quincy
4.9%
Quincy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Quincy
15.6%
Quincy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Quincy
11.0%
Quincy +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 22.9% | Quincy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.1% | Quincy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 15.5% | Quincy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 4.9% | Quincy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.6% | Quincy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.0% | Quincy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Quincy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Quincy
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Quincy, MA | 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
Quincy
7.2 µg/m³
Quincy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Quincy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Quincy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Quincy
37.6 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 37.6 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Quincy leads in median household income at $95,711, 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 326 in Quincy. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Quincy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Quincy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.9%.
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