Norfolk 78 Exceptional
Norfolk Livability #54 ranked city in Nebraska#2,587 ranked city in the USARanks better than 91% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Norfolk

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Crime Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

What's it like Living in Norfolk?

Norfolk, Nebraska is a mid-sized city with a population of 25,122 inhabitants. The majority of Norfolk residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Norfolk will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 12 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Norfolk could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Nebraska if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Norfolk, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, health & safety, housing and more.

Using data and statistics Norfolk has received a livability score of 79 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 93rd percentile when compared to all other cities. This is a phenomenal score, as Norfolk ranks well in multiple categories! Norfolk has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Norfolk scores well for crime (A+), cost of living (A+), education (B) and housing (A+) Regrettably for Norfolk, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F).

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Norfolk, the unemployment rate stands at 2.7%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Norfolk can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Norfolk real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Norfolk. The median home price for Norfolk homes is $286,808, which is 17.1% higher than the Nebraska average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Norfolk, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 30% higher than the Nebraska average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Norfolk

See all the best places to live around Norfolk

How Do You Rate The Livability In Norfolk?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Norfolk, NE Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report

      Norfolk transportation information

      Statistic Norfolk Nebraska National
      Average one way commute12min18min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.9%81.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.5%9.4%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.8%0.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.6%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home4.2%4.3%4.6%
      Source: The Norfolk, NE data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.