Norfolk VA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 135,806 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.2 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 44.0% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 39.8% | 19.9% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $708,498 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.3% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 53.2 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 30.1 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Norfolk. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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