Norfolk VA vs Richmond VA — 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, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 227,595 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.5 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 44.0% | 43.2% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 39.8% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.1% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Richmond
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $62,671 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 18.8% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $374,265 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 43.5% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Richmond
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Richmond
1726
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.9% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Norfolk. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Norfolk, VALos Angeles, CA vs Norfolk, VAChicago, IL vs Norfolk, VAHouston, TX vs Norfolk, VANorfolk, VA vs Phoenix, AZNorfolk, VA vs Philadelphia, PA