Norfolk VA vs Tallahassee 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 199,696 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 44.0% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 39.8% | 35.7% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 8.6% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $55,931 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $35,704 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.5% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 23.2% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 39.5% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Tallahassee
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.3% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.2% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 67.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 58.1 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tallahassee. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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