Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Norfolk, VA
🏆 Carrollton leads 16 of 23 categories
Carrollton
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,380 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284
Norfolk
Virginia
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,998
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High
Population
236,973 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
71% less violent crime than Norfolk
Households earn $34,382 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.0 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 42.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 50°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,555/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $327,300
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Norfolk
Norfolk, VA
Pros
Rent averages $367/mo less ($1,188 vs $1,555)
Homes cost $73k less ($254,200 vs $327,300)
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Carrollton
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails Carrollton by $34,382/yr
Violent crime (469.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3772.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.7% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Median Income
$34,382
$95,380 vs $60,998/yr
Carrollton
Violent Crime
71% lower
137.1 vs 469.5 per 100k
Carrollton
Unemployment
3.0 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.7% unemployment
Carrollton
Summer Heat
5.6°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 88.7°F
Norfolk
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Norfolk
Median Home Value
$73k less
$254,200 vs $327,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Norfolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High | $254,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High | $1,188 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 ✓ Higher | $60,998 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 7.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 146⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 124⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 180⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B (103) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% ✓ Higher | 32.2% |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% ✓ Higher | 89.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Norfolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 50.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 88.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" ✓ Drier | 45.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 3.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 | 236,973 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 32.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% ✓ Higher | 44.8% |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 20.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% ✓ More | 12.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Norfolk's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Norfolk is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 16 of 23 categories. Carrollton wins 16 and Norfolk wins 7. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Carrollton to Norfolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $254,200 median home), income ($95,380 vs $60,998), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Norfolk, VA are about 1,198 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.