Norfolk VA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 141,925 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 44.0% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 39.8% | 20.4% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.0% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $51,468 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $28,819 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 24.0% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 28.6% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 20.4% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.1% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 66.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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