Norfolk VA vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 98,677 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.0 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 7.5% | Norfolk + |
| White | 44.0% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 39.8% | 29.0% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.1% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 8.6% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Roanoke
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $52,671 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $34,792 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 19.7% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 28.9% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Roanoke
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Roanoke
1726
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Roanoke, 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%
Norfolk +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 41.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.9% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.0% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Roanoke, 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
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Norfolk. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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