Norfolk VA vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Springfield
33.6
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 169,432 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.6 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 3.8% | Norfolk + |
| White | 44.0% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 39.8% | 4.3% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 5.6% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $45,984 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $30,864 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,527 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 30.3% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 42.9% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 501 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2418 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.0% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 17.1% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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