Norfolk VA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 102,866 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.9 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 44.0% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 39.8% | 24.4% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $52,512 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $29,511 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,697 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 22.6% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 29.4% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 370 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.2% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.3% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.6% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 18.2% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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