Norfolk VA vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 43.1 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 10.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 44.0% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 39.8% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.1% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 9.3% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $331,500 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
St. Petersburg
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.1% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | 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
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 26.8 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, 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 324 in St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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