Norfolk VA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 107,699 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 4.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 44.0% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 39.8% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.6% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 5.2% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $48,536 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $31,324 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $51,690 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.0% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 23.8% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 45.1% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 400 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1734 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 42.6% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 21.3% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.5% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 65.0°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 55.0 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | 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
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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