Norfolk VA vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Vallejo
19.3%
Vallejo +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 68,141 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 42.1 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 44.0% | 17.9% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 39.8% | 5.3% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 19.3% | Vallejo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $523,551 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.3% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 36.0 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 503 in Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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