Norfolk VA vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Shreveport
183,483
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 183,483 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.5 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 2.6% | Norfolk + |
| White | 44.0% | 36.5% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 39.8% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.5% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 3.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $48,465 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $33,788 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $55,297 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.9% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 23.6% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 27.5% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 643 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2824 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 43.1% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.6% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.1% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 19.1% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 52.7 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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