Norfolk VA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.3 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 44.0% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 39.8% | 3.2% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $62,696 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $570,934 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 460 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2417 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.0% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 18.9% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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