Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Norfolk, VA
VS
Orlando, FL
🏆 Orlando leads 12 of 23 categories
Norfolk
Virginia
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,998
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
236,973
Orlando
Florida
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$66,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
220⚠ High
Population
307,738 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Norfolk, VA
Pros
44% less violent crime than Orlando
Homes cost $79k less ($254,200 vs $332,700)
Rent averages $321/mo less ($1,188 vs $1,509)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Orlando
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
Higher unemployment (6.7% vs 5.2%)
Median income trails Orlando by $5,294/yr
Orlando, FL
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (5.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 72°F vs 50°F
More college-educated — 41.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $5,294 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (835.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $332,700
Higher rents — median is $1,509/mo
Property crime (4028.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Norfolk
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 101.1 (100 = US avg)
Norfolk
Violent Crime
44% lower
469.5 vs 835.8 per 100k
Norfolk
Median Home Value
$79k less
$254,200 vs $332,700
Orlando
Median Income
$5,294
$66,292 vs $60,998/yr
Orlando
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
5.2% vs 6.7% unemployment
Orlando
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 92.0°F vs 88.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Orlando, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper | 101.1⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $254,200 ✓ Lower | $332,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,188 ✓ Lower | $1,509⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $60,998 | $66,292 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7%⚠ High | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter | 26.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.3% | 12.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 146⚠ High ✓ Safer | 209⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer | 220⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 180⚠ High ✓ Safer | 192⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) | B+ (104) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 32.2% | 41.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% | 91.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Norfolk City Public Schools | ORANGE |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 50.0°F | 71.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.7°F | 92.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.7" ✓ Drier | 51.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.0" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 236,973 | 307,738 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.8% ✓ Higher | 39.2% |
| Under 18 | 20.3% | 20.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Norfolk's cost of living index is 97.4 vs Orlando's 101.1 (US average = 100).
Norfolk is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Orlando leads 12 of 23 categories. Norfolk wins 11 and Orlando 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 Norfolk to Orlando or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,200 vs $332,700 median home), income ($60,998 vs $66,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Norfolk, VA and Orlando, FL are about 656 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.