Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Norfolk, VA
VS
Toms River, NJ
🏆 Toms River leads 13 of 23 categories
Norfolk
Virginia
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,998
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High
Population
236,973 ✓ Larger
Toms River
New Jersey
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,012 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
92,827
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Norfolk, VA
Pros
Homes cost $102k less ($254,200 vs $356,100)
Rent averages $404/mo less ($1,188 vs $1,592)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Toms River
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 50°F vs 42°F
Cons
Median income trails Toms River by $31,014/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 5.7%)
Toms River, NJ
Pros
71% less violent crime than Norfolk
Households earn $31,014 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (134.3 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (5.7%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $356,100
Higher rents — median is $1,592/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Norfolk
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Norfolk
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Norfolk
Median Home Value
$102k less
$254,200 vs $356,100
Norfolk
Summer Heat
3.2°F warmer
July avg high 88.7°F vs 85.5°F
Toms River
Median Income
$31,014
$92,012 vs $60,998/yr
Toms River
Violent Crime
71% lower
134.3 vs 469.5 per 100k
Toms River
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
5.7% vs 6.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Toms River, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $254,200 ✓ Lower | $356,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,188 ✓ Lower | $1,592⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $60,998 | $92,012 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter | 30.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.3% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 146⚠ High | 43 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 124⚠ High | 35 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 180⚠ High | 53 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 32.2% | 34.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% | 93.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Norfolk City Public Schools | Toms River Regional School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 50.0°F ✓ Warmer | 41.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.7°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.7" ✓ Drier | 52.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.0" ✓ Less | 23.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 236,973 ✓ Larger | 92,827 |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 42.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.8% | 80.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.3% | 21.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Norfolk's cost of living index is 97.4 vs Toms River's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Norfolk is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Toms River leads 13 of 23 categories. Norfolk wins 10 and Toms River wins 13. 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 Toms River or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,200 vs $356,100 median home), income ($60,998 vs $92,012), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Norfolk, VA and Toms River, NJ are about 240 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.