Living in Norfolk, Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Norfolk · Census data 2020–2024
Norfolk has 233,596 residents with a median age of 32.7. The median household income is $66,109 (29% lower than the Virginia median), the median home value is $289,900, the median rent is $1,321/month.
Norfolk at a glance
- Population
- 233,596
- Median age
- 32.7State: 39
- Median household income
- $66,109State: $93,170
- Median home value
- $289,900State: $383,700
- Median rent
- $1,321/moState: $1,579
- Homeowners
- 46.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 33.5%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Norfolk a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 24% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 29% lower than the Virginia median; unemployment of 5.7%; a poverty rate of 16.5%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Norfolk
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Norfolk the median home value is $289,900, 13% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,321 per month, which is 32.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,913 a month in housing costs.
Norfolk median household income
The median household income in Norfolk is $66,109 and the income per person is $39,457. 16.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Virginia: 9.9%).
Housing in Norfolk: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 103,524
- Owner-occupied
- 46.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 53.7%
- Vacant
- 8.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1964
- Average household size
- 2.25
Norfolk demographics
- Population
- 233,596
- Median age
- 32.7
- Under 18
- 20.3%
- 65 and older
- 13%
- Households
- 94,965
- Foreign-born
- 7.9%
- Veterans
- 14.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Norfolk ›
Education in Norfolk
33.5% of adults 25 and older in Norfolk have a bachelor's degree or higher (Virginia: 42.2%), and 14.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Norfolk
- Unemployment rate
- 5.7%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 10.2%
- Drive alone
- 70.6%
- Public transit
- 2.6%
- Walk to work
- 5%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.8%
Norfolk vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk | 233,596 | $66,109 | $289,900 | $1,321 |
| Portsmouth | 97,190 | $60,491 | $246,900 | $1,300 |
| Hampton | 137,557 | $69,621 | $245,700 | $1,427 |
| Poquoson | 12,639 | $120,972 | $400,300 | $1,707 |
| Carrollton | 8,436 | $110,956 | $423,900 | $1,789 |
| Virginia Beach | 456,349 | $92,968 | $382,500 | $1,714 |
| Bethel Manor | 4,393 | $77,294 | — | $2,121 |
| Chesapeake | 252,583 | $95,373 | $378,400 | $1,586 |
| Newport News | 184,216 | $69,634 | $260,600 | $1,339 |
More for people moving to Norfolk
Norfolk ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Norfolk: FAQ
What is the median household income in Norfolk, VA?
The median household income in Norfolk is $66,109, 29% lower than the Virginia median of $93,170 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Norfolk?
The median home value in Norfolk is $289,900, compared with $383,700 in Virginia.
How much is rent in Norfolk?
The median gross rent in Norfolk is $1,321 per month, about 32.3% of household income.
Is Norfolk, VA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 24% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes. Minuses: median household income 29% lower than the Virginia median; unemployment of 5.7%; a poverty rate of 16.5%.
What is the median age in Norfolk?
The median age in Norfolk is 32.7 years (Virginia: 39).
How long is the commute in Norfolk?
The average commute to work in Norfolk is 23 minutes; 10.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Norfolk?
The unemployment rate in Norfolk is 5.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Norfolk?
33.5% of adults in Norfolk have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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