Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Norfolk to Houston
Comparing Norfolk, Virginia, and Houston, Texas, using 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveals distinct trade-offs between population scale, income, housing costs, and commutes. Norfolk has an estimated population of 233,596 with a median household income of $66,109, a median gross rent of $1,321 per month, and a median home value of $289,900. Its derived one-way commute is 25 minutes. In contrast, Houston supports a much larger population of 2,328,253, a median household income of $64,813, a median gross rent of $1,361 per month, and a median home value of $277,800, with a slightly longer 30-minute commute. While Norfolk offers a higher median income and slightly lower monthly rent, Houston features a lower median home value alongside a 0.00% simplified state income tax reference. Neither city guarantees a universal lifestyle outcome.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → NorfolkMoving from Norfolk to Houston
Median Rent Impact
+$40/mo
Moving to Houston costs ~$480 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+5 min / day
Difference of ~42 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTNOR → HOU
60/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$11,904after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Norfolk is about $480 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Norfolk household income$66,109
Houston household income$64,813
Norfolk gross rent$1,321
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Norfolk | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 233,596 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $66,109 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,321 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $289,900 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 25 minutes in Norfolk and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Population scale difference between Norfolk and Houston
- Median household income comparison using 2024 ACS data
- Housing affordability across median rent and home values
- Derived one-way commute time differences
What each city wins
Norfolk
A median owner-occupied home value of $289,900.. Watch a 25-minute derived commute against citywide medians..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do the population sizes of Norfolk and Houston compare?
According to the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Norfolk has an estimated population of 233,596, whereas Houston is substantially larger with an estimated population of 2,328,253.
What are the median household incomes and housing costs for both cities?
Norfolk records a median household income of $66,109, a median gross rent of $1,321, and a median home value of $289,900. Houston records a median household income of $64,813, a median gross rent of $1,361, and a median home value of $277,800.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.