Norfolk VA vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Richmond
17.3%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 115,396 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.6 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 44.0% | 21.4% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 39.8% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.0% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 32.6% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $608,357 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.9% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 58.5°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 37.7 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 503 in Richmond. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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