Norfolk VA vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.7 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 44.0% | 36.8% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 39.8% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.2% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $480,548 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 61.0°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 27.0 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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