Norfolk is a central international hub and home to the largest naval station in the world. It is better to live in than Anaheim because it has a rich culture, exceptional medical services, and a high-quality education system. On the other hand, Anaheim is a southern California city with safe and clean neighborhoods to offer.
You will love living in Norfolk because of its diversity and high appreciation of culture and arts. It has 125 miles of navigable waterways that pass through the city’s beautiful countryside, towns, and villages. Norfolk also has a booming economy that generates thousands of jobs.
Meanwhile, Anaheim is a world-renowned holiday destination. It is home to Mickey Mouse and friends established in 1955. Since then, the city has been attracting millions of tourists and visitors yearly.
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What are the Pros and Cons of Anaheim vs. Norfolk?
Norfolk is an affordable city with a diverse economy and exceptional learning institutions but suffers a higher crime rate. Meanwhile, Anaheim has an expensive cost of living but offers safer neighborhoods.
Living in Norfolk
Pros
- Diverse economy
- Exceptional school system
- Beaches
- Lower cost of living
- Fun and entertainment
Norfolk has a thriving job market that continuously increases by a rate of 1.3%. The city has a projected job growth of 31.2% for the next ten years. The speed is relatively high, and you can expect that more jobs will be available in the following years to come.
Aside from stable job growth, the city offers you a diverse economy where you can easily find employment related to your field of expertise. Major industries like manufacturing, health, infotech, insurance, and maritime are in Norfolk. Plus, the average salary in the city is $100,000 a year.
Living here with your family is a breeze. The city has five high schools, nine middle schools, and 34 elementary schools. If you look for the best school for your children, you have many options.
Some of these learning institutions rank top in the overall state ranking. Universities and colleges are also present in Norfolk. You can consider studying at Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, or Advance Technology Institute.
Norfolk has loads of pristine beaches to offer for those who love to spend time outdoors. The Community Beach Park, Ocean View Beach Park, and Sarah Constant Beach Park are just within your reach. Even though the state is famous for Virginia Beach, Norfolk benefits from the state’s eastern shore coastline.
You can permanently save tons of money if you choose to reside in Norfolk. Living here is relatively lower compared to other upscale areas in Hampton Roads. Basic living expenses like utilities, groceries, housing, and transportation are lower than the national average.
Aside from the endless list of beaches in Norfolk, you can try other forms of entertainment. You can visit the city’s famous historical attractions, check out its world-class museums, and dine in the city’s critically acclaimed restaurants. The town also offers green spaces where you can play golf, hike, and stroll.
There are kid-friendly attractions like the Norfolk Botanical Garden, Virginia Zoo, and the maritime discovery center for families with kids.
Cons
- Traffic
- Crime rate
Traffic in Norfolk is terrible. Drivers often experience a bumper to bumper traffic on a day-to-day basis. Commuting tends to be longer than in other cities in the United States.
Some would say Norfolk is one of the worst cities for drivers. Hampton Roads ranks 31st in worst traffic congestion. Then, the city got 132nd place internationally.
The rate of violent crime in Norfolk can be disturbing. Norfolk has a crime rate higher than the state average. Compared to the US median rate, it is still higher. The FBI reported that Norfolk is also one of the most dangerous cities in Virginia.
Living in Anaheim
Pros
- A city that celebrates the past
- Birthplace of Classic 90’s Music
- Finding topnotch food is easy
- Shopping is a lifestyle
- Craft breweries
Anaheim is considered the oldest city in Orange County. Thus, it collected years of history and colorful culture and traditions. When you visit the MUZEO, you will see that it explores topics about Imperial Russian art and more.
The city has the Anaheim Colony and Historic Palm districts to explore. You can also find four Anaheim Colony monuments in the city’s vicinity.
Gwen Stefani started her first band in Anaheim. The city is the birthplace of classical 90s music because of Gwen Stefani.
Her first band, No Doubt, played in Anaheim for many years, from 1986. They performed live and conducted concerts during that time.
Anaheim is a tourism hub. Here in this city, you can get all the international flavors you are craving. Available restaurants serve Thai, Asian, Mexican, American, Spanish, and more. Some of the top eateries you should try are The Catch Restaurant and the Ranch Restaurant.
The city has tons of shopping centers catering to both locals and tourists. The best places to shop are at the Anaheim GardenWalk and the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Here you will find fantastic deals and discounts when you shop during grand sales.
Anaheim is the ultimate ‘beercation’ destination. It has been serving up suds since 1870. The city is home to several breweries serving artisanal craft beers like Bavarian brew.
Cons
- Strict car registration
Anaheim imposes a strict car registration policy on its people. You have to pay penalties if you fail to register your vehicle within 20 days of the deadline. When you move to California, you also have ten days to get your driver’s license.
If you fail to do so, you must comply with paying penalties to the city. The car registration process in this city takes longer than in others, and you need to allot time.
Anaheim or Norfolk – Which is cheaper?
Norfolk is 39.7% cheaper than Anaheim. The housing cost in Anaheim is skyrocketing, with a median rate of almost $700,000. In Norfolk, real estate can start from $185,900 and up.
| Living expenses | Anaheim | Norfolk |
| Housing | 257.1% | 80.4% |
| Food & Groceries | 102.5% | 97.8% |
| Health | 95.9% | 105.4% |
| Utilities | 97.4% | 96.7% |
| Transportation | 118% | 82.4% |
Data is based on 100 = US National Average
> 100 means more expensive than the national average
< 100 means cheaper than the national average
Housing rent cost
Real estate in Anaheim is costly in contrast to the very affordable property price of Norfolk. It is more challenging to become a homeowner in Anaheim than in Norfolk. The amount you need to spend to buy a house in Anaheim is more than double that of Norfolk.
Utility cost
When it comes to utility costs, the two cities are comparable. There is only a 0.7% difference in their utility expenses. On average, residents spend around $250 every month on utility bills.
Food & groceries cost
Eating and dining out is costlier in Anaheim compared to Norfolk. People in Anaheim spend more than the average on food and groceries. On the other hand, Norfolk has food and grocery cost lower than the national average.
Transportation cost
Anaheim has a poor public transportation system, but it costs more than the US median rate. You have to spend 30.2% more getting around Anaheim than in Norfolk.
Health care cost
The cost of health services is 12.8% more in Norfolk than in Anaheim. The rate is even higher than the national average. On the other hand, Anaheim offers lower medical services than other major cities in the US.
Is Anaheim bigger than Norfolk?
Norfolk is bigger than Anaheim by land area. It has a total area of 96.40 square miles, while Anaheim covers 50.8 square miles. Anaheim is a larger city with more than 300,000 residents in terms of population.
Nevertheless, Norfolk is the third most populous city in Virginia. It has a total population of 238,005 in 2020. It is at the heart of the Hampton Roads metro area with thriving urban, financial, and cultural districts.
Meanwhile, Anaheim is the 10th most populous city in California and placed 56th in the United States. Given its limited area and growing population, it is a very densely populated city. Aside from its populace, the city is congested by tourists, with more than 60,000 visitors daily.
Is Norfolk safer than Anaheim?
Anaheim is safer than Norfolk. It has a violent crime rate lower than the US median rate. Meanwhile, the crime rate in Norfolk is slightly above the national average of 22.7.
There were only eight murders reported in Anaheim in 2019. Given its population size and total land area covered, this number is way below the average. Other grave crimes like rape are also uncommon in this city.
Norfolk receives the 50th percentile in safety, where half of its area is safe; the other half is relatively dangerous. On the other hand, Norfolk got a C+ grade in terms of crime rate. It means that the city’s rate is just about the same as the US average.
Is Anaheim warmer than Norfolk?
The weather in Anaheim and Norfolk is comparable. The average high temperature in both cities only reaches 80 degrees. Norfolk has a humid subtropical climate, while Anaheim experiences a hot semi-arid climate.
A humid subtropical climate has warm and humid summers, while mild and cool springs. Winters are mild, with an average temperature going below 40 degrees. Fall exhibits soft to warm days and cooler nights, too.
Meanwhile, a hot semi-arid climate corresponds to warm winters and rainless summers. The cold temperature only goes around 30 degrees. People are living in this type of climate experience erratic and heavy rainfalls during the winters.
Is Norfolk better than Anaheim?
Norfolk is a desirable and affordable city in Virginia. It gives you access to more employment opportunities accompanied by higher salary compensations. On the other hand, Anaheim has jobs limited to the tourism sector, with higher living costs than average.
It is better to live in Norfolk if you consider a place with varied industries. The city has a highly diverse economy that centers on maritime industries. This city has more commercial activities because of its connection to the Hampton Roads region.
On the other hand, Anaheim is consistently a perfect holiday destination locally and internationally. Its economy is highly defined by the number of parks and recreation sites, specifically Disneyland.
Would you want to live in Norfolk? Or is Anaheim a better place for you? Please share your thoughts below.
