Norfolk VA vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.6 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 44.0% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 39.8% | 32.4% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.3% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $57,673 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $35,074 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 17.9% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $419,326 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wilmington, NC | 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%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 17.5% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 63.8°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 58.4 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, 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 Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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