Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Norfolk, VA
🏆 Norfolk leads 12 of 23 categories
Fresno
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,001 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Norfolk
Virginia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,998
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
236,973
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 50°F
Cons
Violent crime (735.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $321,800
Property crime (3271.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.0% vs 6.7%)
Norfolk, VA
Pros
36% less violent crime than Fresno
Homes cost $68k less ($254,200 vs $321,800)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (6.7%)
More college-educated — 32.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Fresno
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 98°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
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Median Income
$2,003
$63,001 vs $60,998/yr
Fresno
Summer Heat
9.0°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 88.7°F
Norfolk
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Norfolk
Violent Crime
36% lower
469.5 vs 735.5 per 100k
Norfolk
Median Home Value
$68k less
$254,200 vs $321,800
Norfolk
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
6.7% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Norfolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High | $254,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 | $1,188 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 ✓ Higher | $60,998 |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 6.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 22.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% ✓ Higher | 7.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 146⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High ✓ Safer | 180⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 32.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 89.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Norfolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 50.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 88.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 45.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 236,973 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 32.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% ✓ Higher | 44.8% |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 12.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Norfolk's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Norfolk is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Norfolk leads 12 of 23 categories. Fresno wins 11 and Norfolk wins 12. 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 Fresno to Norfolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $254,200 median home), income ($63,001 vs $60,998), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Norfolk, VA are about 2,386 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.