Norfolk VA vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 28,542 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 42.3 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 6.8% | Norfolk + |
| White | 44.0% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 39.8% | 3.1% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.0% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 4.7% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $321,835 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.9% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 26.2 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, 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 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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