Norfolk VA vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Springfield
33.7
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 154,751 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.7 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 44.0% | 40.8% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 39.8% | 20.0% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.8% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $51,339 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $27,054 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.2% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 25.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 19.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Springfield
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 326 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.8% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 21.1% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 17.5% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Springfield. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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