Norfolk VA vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 153,455 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.1 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 44.0% | 30.4% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 39.8% | 1.5% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $2,144,024 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 43.8% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 25.3 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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