Norfolk VA vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 91,535 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 42.9 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 44.0% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 39.8% | 4.9% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $865,610 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 28.8% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 20.7% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 65.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 28.0 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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