Norfolk VA vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.5 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 44.0% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 39.8% | 14.2% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.5% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $58,407 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $57,929 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 18.6% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 429 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2375 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.8% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.4% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.3% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 60.8°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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