Norfolk VA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 26,509 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.7 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 7.1% | Norfolk + |
| White | 44.0% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 39.8% | 3.6% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 3.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,467 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $344,633 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Rochester
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 284 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1992 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 28.3 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, 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 284 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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