Norfolk VA vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 209,720 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.5 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 44.0% | 41.5% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 39.8% | 37.5% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.2% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $46,628 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $30,451 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.9% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 26.6% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 29.9% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 37.2% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Rochester
10.9%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.3% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.9% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.6% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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 38.0%.
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