Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Norfolk, VA
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Washington 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
Washington
District of Columbia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,722 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Norfolk, VA
Pros
Homes cost $451k less ($254,200 vs $705,000)
Rent averages $629/mo less ($1,188 vs $1,817)
49% less violent crime than Washington
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Washington
Milder winters — January highs near 50°F vs 45°F
Cons
Median income trails Washington by $40,724/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
Washington, DC
Pros
Households earn $40,724 more per year on average
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Higher rents — median is $1,817/mo
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3588.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Norfolk
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Norfolk
Violent Crime
49% lower
469.5 vs 925.9 per 100k
Norfolk
Median Home Value
$451k less
$254,200 vs $705,000
Washington
Median Income
$40,724
$101,722 vs $60,998/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper | 108.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $254,200 ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,188 ✓ Lower | $1,817⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $60,998 | $101,722 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.3% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 146⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 180⚠ High | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.9:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 32.2% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% | 92.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Norfolk City Public Schools | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 50.0°F ✓ Warmer | 44.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.7°F | 89.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.7" | 45.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.0" ✓ Less | 9.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 236,973 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.8% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 20.3% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 12.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Norfolk's cost of living index is 97.4 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Norfolk is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Washington leads 12 of 23 categories. Norfolk wins 11 and Washington 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 Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,200 vs $705,000 median home), income ($60,998 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Norfolk, VA and Washington, DC are about 143 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.