Norfolk VA vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
221,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 221,774 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 44.0% | 27.6% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 39.8% | 11.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
$63,988
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $63,988 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $23,980 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.5% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 19.5% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 12.8% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
San Bernardino
48.5%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $492,059 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 48.5% | San Bernardino + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
2388
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Bernardino, 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%
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 37.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.6% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.0% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 20.2% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.1% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Bernardino, CA | 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
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 30.7 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, 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 San Bernardino. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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