Norfolk VA vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 203,888 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.0 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 44.0% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 39.8% | 2.7% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $60,713 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $580,126 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Salt Lake City
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 245 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1931 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.3% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, 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 245 in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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