Norwalk CA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Norwalk
100,713
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.4 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 9.1% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 4.2% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 7.2% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 8.9% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $90,685 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 64.9% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 36.5% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.7% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.6% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.1% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Norwalk, CALos Angeles, CA vs Norwalk, CAChicago, IL vs Norwalk, CAHouston, TX vs Norwalk, CANorwalk, CA vs Phoenix, AZNorwalk, CA vs Philadelphia, PA