Norfolk VA vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.5 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 44.0% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 39.8% | 16.2% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 9.1% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Saint Paul
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,467 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Saint Paul
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Saint Paul, 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%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Saint Paul. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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