Norfolk VA vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 105,460 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.6 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 5.1% | Norfolk + |
| White | 44.0% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 39.8% | 1.4% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 7.5% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $35,235 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 24.8% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $414,734 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 383 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3409 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 17.2% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, 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 383 in Spokane Valley. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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