Norfolk VA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.9 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 44.0% | 39.1% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 39.8% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.5% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $580,173 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 41.1% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 398 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1999 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 24.0% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Washington, DC | 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
Norfolk +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Washington, DC | 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
Norfolk +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 32.8 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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