Norfolk VA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 205,501 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.1 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 44.0% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 39.8% | 12.1% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $35,825 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 19.8% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $435,532 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 42.4% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 326 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Worcester
17.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 19.9% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 17.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.5% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 27.3 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, 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 326 in Worcester. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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