Norwalk CA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norwalk
100,713
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 13.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 4.2% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 4.7% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 12.7% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $82,424 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 11.4% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 51.2% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Raleigh
15.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Raleigh
10.5%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 30.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.6% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.5% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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