Norfolk VA vs St. Charles 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Norfolk
44.0%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 71,542 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.9 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 4.2% | Norfolk + |
| White | 44.0% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 39.8% | 6.7% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.4% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $55,578 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $31,499 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,527 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 18.7% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 22.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Charles, 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%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 18.4% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Charles, MO | 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
Norfolk +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Charles, 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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