Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Germantown, MD
VS
Norfolk, VA
🏆 Norfolk leads 11 of 20 categories
Germantown
Maryland
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$109,268 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
90,210
Norfolk
Virginia
11
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.
Germantown, MD
Pros
Households earn $48,270 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (5.2%)
More college-educated — 48.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,908/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $393,700
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Norfolk
Longer commutes — 33.6 min average each way
Norfolk, VA
Pros
Rent averages $720/mo less ($1,188 vs $1,908)
Homes cost $140k less ($254,200 vs $393,700)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Germantown
Milder winters — January highs near 50°F vs 39°F
Cons
Median income trails Germantown by $48,270/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 5.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Germantown
Median Income
$48,270
$109,268 vs $60,998/yr
Germantown
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
5.2% vs 6.7% unemployment
Norfolk
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Norfolk
Median Home Value
$140k less
$254,200 vs $393,700
Norfolk
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 88.7°F vs 84.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Germantown, MD | Norfolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.6⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $393,700⚠ High | $254,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,908⚠ High | $1,188 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $109,268 ✓ Higher | $60,998 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.6 min⚠ High | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 16.7% ✓ Higher | 7.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | — | 146⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 124⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 180⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | B (103) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 48.9% ✓ Higher | 32.2% |
| High School or Higher | 89.5% ✓ Higher | 89.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Montgomery County Public Schools | Norfolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.1°F | 50.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.3°F | 88.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.7" | 45.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.6" | 3.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 90,210 | 236,973 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.9 ✓ Older | 32.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.9% ✓ Higher | 44.8% |
| Under 18 | 24.3% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 10.7% | 12.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Germantown's cost of living index is 108.6 vs Norfolk's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Norfolk is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Norfolk leads 11 of 20 categories. Germantown wins 9 and Norfolk wins 11. 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 Germantown to Norfolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($393,700 vs $254,200 median home), income ($109,268 vs $60,998), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Germantown, MD and Norfolk, VA are about 165 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.