Norfolk VA vs Stockton CA — 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Stockton
33.7
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.7 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 44.0% | 26.6% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 39.8% | 11.6% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $31,279 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.0% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 19.1% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $431,297 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.5% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.0% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.8% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 62.2°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 33.2 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, 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 503 in Stockton. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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