Norfolk VA vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 146,211 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 44.0% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 39.8% | 27.6% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $45,845 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $27,570 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 29.6% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 30.5% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 41.3% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 41.5% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.7% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.8% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.1% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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