Norfolk VA vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 118,578 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.5 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 5.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 44.0% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 39.8% | 14.9% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.3% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 8.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $63,900 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Winston-Salem, 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%
Norfolk +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 42.7% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.8% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.4% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Winston-Salem, 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
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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