Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Erie, PA
VS
Norfolk, VA
🏆 Erie leads 12 of 22 categories
Erie
Pennsylvania
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,135
Violent Crime Index
99 ✓ Safer
Population
94,826
Norfolk
Virginia
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$60,998 ✓ Higher
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.
Erie, PA
Pros
Homes cost $153k less ($101,500 vs $254,200)
Rent averages $379/mo less ($809 vs $1,188)
20% less violent crime than Norfolk
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.5)
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 89°F
Cons
Median income trails Norfolk by $17,863/yr
Snowy winters — about 104" of snow per year
Norfolk, VA
Pros
Households earn $17,863 more per year on average
More college-educated — 32.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 50°F vs 35°F
Cons
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
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Erie
Key Differences at a Glance
Erie
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 91.5 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Erie
Violent Crime
20% lower
375.6 vs 469.5 per 100k
Erie
Median Home Value
$153k less
$101,500 vs $254,200
Norfolk
Median Income
$17,863
$60,998 vs $43,135/yr
Norfolk
Summer Heat
7.6°F warmer
July avg high 88.7°F vs 81.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Erie, PA | Norfolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.5 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $101,500 ✓ Lower | $254,200 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $809 ✓ Lower | $1,188 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,135 | $60,998 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8%⚠ High | 6.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.2 min ✓ Shorter | 22.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 5.8% | 7.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 96 ✓ Safer | 146⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 99 ✓ Safer | 124⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 180⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (90) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.9:1 | 12.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.4% | 32.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.6% | 89.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Erie City SD | Norfolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.2°F | 50.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.1°F | 88.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.0" ✓ Drier | 45.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 104.3" | 3.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,826 | 236,973 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.0 ✓ Older | 32.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.6% ✓ Higher | 44.8% |
| Under 18 | 21.4% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 12.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Erie's cost of living index is 91.5 vs Norfolk's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Erie is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Erie leads 12 of 22 categories. Erie wins 12 and Norfolk wins 10. 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 Erie to Norfolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($101,500 vs $254,200 median home), income ($43,135 vs $60,998), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Erie, PA and Norfolk, VA are about 413 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.