Norfolk VA vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 129,239 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.5 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 44.0% | 31.9% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 39.8% | 2.1% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $720,443 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 41.2% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 25.2 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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