Norfolk VA vs St. Louis 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Norfolk
44.0%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.6 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 6.6% | Norfolk + |
| White | 44.0% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 39.8% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.4% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 5.1% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $55,279 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,527 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 19.8% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 45.4% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Louis, 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. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.2% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 17.9% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.8% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Louis, 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. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Louis, 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. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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