2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Norfolk, VA vs Santa Cruz, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in Santa Cruz, is 71% more than it is in Norfolk and is 28% above the National Average.
- Norfolk unemployment rate is 7.3%.
- Santa Cruz unemployment rate is 4.5%.
 Norfolk, VASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.5%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock1.8%1.6%
 Future Job Growth31.2%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes6.0%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock8.0%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$32,811  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$96,217$69,021
 Family Median Income$68,617  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Norfolk, VASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock10.7%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K4.2%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock7.9%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K9.9%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock4.6%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K8.3%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock6.1%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K13.0%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock16.1%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K5.3%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock20.7%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Norfolk, VASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Management, business, finance12.3%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock12.2%6.5%
 Community, social services2.2%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock0.7%1.2%
 Education, library6.5%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock4.3%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology6.4%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock1.9%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement2.8%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock9.9%5.4%
 Building maintenance4.3%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock3.3%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support21.9%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.9%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair8.8%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock5.2%13.1%
Reviews for Norfolk    41 Reviews

I've lived in Norfolk for most of my life, and I love it here. I love the maker scene, and the new breweries. The arts scene, especially the theater side is always  More

   |    Reply

Over 7 years ago

I have lived in Norfolk VA for 11 months and,I cant wait to leave.It is full of crime ,homeless and undeveloped city.Public transportation is terrible and its wet and  More

   |    Reply

Over 7 years ago

I was born in Norfolk, and lived in Norfolk and Virginia Beach until my early 20s. Here are 10 things that are 100% true about Norfolk you may have heard before: 1) It's  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Norfolk

Reviews for Santa Cruz    44 Reviews

I lived in the Santa Cruz area for 20 years. UCSC alum. Our kids were born there. There are wonderful things about Santa Cruz, but also many serious problems that we  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

I have been here for four generations! My kids are the fifth. I guess that should tell you how wonderful it is here, at least for us. It's so cool to have world class  More

   |    Reply

I was born over the hill in San Jose area, and as a kid I loved coming over to the boardwalk. Santa Cruz has always been and always will be a town of diversity,  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Cruz


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.