How many renters in Norfolk, VA pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Norfolk, VA, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

54.9% (±2.3 points) of renting households in Norfolk, VA spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

44.1% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 32.3% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 54.9% (±2.3 points)
Paying 35% or more: 44.1% (±1.9 points)
Median share of income: 32.3% (±0.9 points)

Rent as a share of income in Norfolk

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Norfolk	Norfolk city	Virginia	United States
Less than 15%	11.8% (±1.5 points)	11.8%	13.1%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	9.6% (±1.1 points)	9.6%	13.1%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	11.0% (±1.3 points)	11.0%	12.9%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	12.7% (±1.2 points)	12.7%	12.4%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	10.8% (±1.3 points)	10.8%	9.1%	9.2%
35% or more	44.1% (±1.9 points)	44.1%	39.4%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Norfolk against Norfolk city, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Norfolk	Norfolk city	Virginia	United States
Paying 30% or more	54.9% (±2.3 points)	54.9% (±2.3 points)	48.5% (±0.5 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	44.1% (±1.9 points)	44.1% (±1.9 points)	39.4% (±0.4 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	32.3% (±0.9 points)	32.3% (±0.9 points)	29.4% (±0.2 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$46,991 (±$1,503)	$46,991 (±$1,503)	$60,343 (±$529)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$1,321 (±$27)	$1,321 (±$27)	$1,579 (±$8)	$1,413

In Norfolk, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is not measurably different from Norfolk city (54.9%).

It is also higher than in Virginia (48.5%).

It is higher than the national figure (51.1%).

Statewide, it ranks 119 of 459.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Norfolk

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Norfolk
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Norfolk	—	54.9% (±2.3 points)	—
Portsmouth	7.6 mi	59.7% (±4.3 points)	Not measurably different
Hampton	9.1 mi	57.3% (±3.5 points)	Not measurably different
Poquoson	15 mi	66.4% (±18.8 points)	Not measurably different
Carrollton	15 mi	55.5% (±17.5 points)	Not measurably different
Virginia Beach	16 mi	54.5% (±2.2 points)	Not measurably different
Bethel Manor	16 mi	47.3% (±13.1 points)	Not measurably different
Chesapeake	17 mi	57.0% (±4.3 points)	Not measurably different
Newport News	19 mi	51.2% (±2.7 points)	Lower

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Newport News, VA (51.2%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Norfolk

Are renters in Norfolk rent-burdened?

54.9% of renting households in Norfolk pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Norfolk spend on rent?

The median renting household in Norfolk, VA spends 32.3% (±0.9 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Norfolk city, Virginia (place:57000, in state:51).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.