Norfolk VA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 186,419 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 44.0% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 39.8% | 7.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $468,328 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 41.6% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 450 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2150 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 18.3% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 71.3°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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