Norwalk CA vs Philadelphia PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norwalk
100,713
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 14.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 4.2% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 7.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 15.2% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $60,698 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 8.4% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 22.0% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 52.3% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Norwalk +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norwalk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Norwalk +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 34.5 min | Norwalk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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