Norfolk VA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 176,666 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.7 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 44.0% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 39.8% | 1.6% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.5% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $36,477 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,691 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 31.4% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $438,754 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 355 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3001 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 41.4% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.6% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 24.5 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, 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 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Norfolk 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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