Norfolk VA vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.6 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 44.0% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 39.8% | 5.0% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.1% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $54,546 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $31,152 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 18.8% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 30.2% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $324,946 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.7% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 69.8°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, 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 Tucson. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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