Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Denton, TX
VS
Norfolk, VA
🏆 Denton leads 14 of 23 categories
Denton
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,921 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
54 ✓ Safer
Population
142,262
Norfolk
Virginia
9
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.
Denton, TX
Pros
57% less violent crime than Norfolk
Violent crime is well below the national average (204.2 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (4.8%)
Households earn $10,923 more per year on average
More college-educated — 40.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 50°F
Cons
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Norfolk
Norfolk, VA
Pros
Homes cost $42k less ($254,200 vs $296,100)
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 96°F
Rent averages $76/mo less ($1,188 vs $1,264)
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Denton
Cons
Violent crime (469.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Denton by $10,923/yr
Property crime (3772.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.7% vs 4.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Denton
Median Income
$10,923
$71,921 vs $60,998/yr
Denton
Violent Crime
57% lower
204.2 vs 469.5 per 100k
Denton
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
4.8% vs 6.7% unemployment
Denton
Summer Heat
7.2°F warmer
July avg high 95.9°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
$42k less
$254,200 vs $296,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Denton, TX | Norfolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $296,100 | $254,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,264 | $1,188 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,921 ✓ Higher | $60,998 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.7 min | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 7.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 65 ✓ Safer | 146⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 54 ✓ Safer | 124⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 180⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (115) ✓ Better | B (103) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.0% ✓ Higher | 32.2% |
| High School or Higher | 91.5% ✓ Higher | 89.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DENTON ISD | Norfolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.8°F ✓ Warmer | 50.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.9°F ✓ Warmer | 88.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 38.4" ✓ Drier | 45.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 3.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 142,262 | 236,973 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 32.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% ✓ Higher | 44.8% |
| Under 18 | 18.5% | 20.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.2% | 12.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Denton'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, Denton leads 14 of 23 categories. Denton wins 14 and Norfolk wins 9. 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 Denton to Norfolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($296,100 vs $254,200 median home), income ($71,921 vs $60,998), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Denton, TX and Norfolk, VA are about 1,206 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.