Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Norfolk

Affordability in Norfolk, VA

Norfolk is a majority-renter city, with 54% of households renting their homes, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (2024). The citywide median household income is $66,109 annually, while the median gross rent is $1,321 per month -- context that helps illustrate the demand for income-restricted housing options across the city.

Safety

According to the Norfolk Police Department's FBI Crime Data Explorer reporting, Norfolk had a violent crime rate of 479 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Crime rates are not comparable across cities due to differences in reporting practices and local definitions.

Getting Around Norfolk

The assisted properties in Norfolk score an average of 51 (Somewhat Walkable) for walkability, 45 (Some Transit) for transit access, and a Bike Score of 45, according to Walk Score. These scores reflect conditions around the specific assisted properties listed on this page, not the city as a whole.

Schools

Norfolk is served by 53 public schools across 5 districts, including 33 elementary, 6 middle, 6 high, and 8 other schools, according to NCES Common Core of Data. Quality and programs vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address before making a housing decision.

Cost of Living in Norfolk, VA

The median household income in Norfolk is $66,109 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. The median gross rent is $1,321 per month, according to the same source.

Affordable and income-based housing can significantly reduce housing costs for eligible renters. Rents at HUD-assisted and LIHTC properties are typically capped as a percentage of your household income or the area median income, rather than set at market rate.

• Median household income: $66,109/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Median market rent: $1,321/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Renter-occupied households: 54% of all households (Census ACS 5-Year)
• HUD-assisted and LIHTC units available: 1,874 across 22 properties in Norfolk

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 22 affordable housing properties in Norfolk have been mapped for flood risk. Of those, 3 are located in high-risk flood zones -- a notable consideration in a coastal city with known tidal flooding concerns. Renters at those properties may want to ask about flood insurance requirements and building-level mitigation measures.