Norfolk VA vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.7 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 44.0% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 39.8% | 9.7% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $63,072 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $35,958 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $61,860 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 30.9% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 449 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2174 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.6% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.3% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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