City · 26,054 residents · Madison County, Nebraska
Norfolk, Nebraska
In Norfolk, a typical home is worth $211,700 and typical rent is $875 a month. Compared with all of Madison County, typical household income is 7% lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $198,815 to $258,233.
Typical rent
$1,247a month
▲ 2.7% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, March 2025 to September 2026: from $1,190 to $1,247.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Norfolk is in Madison County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Madison County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Schuyler, the typical home value is $145,700: 31% less than in Norfolk ($211,700).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Norfolk
What homes there are in Norfolk, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Norfolk
Madison County
Nebraska
United States
Kind of home: Norfolk and its comparisons
Measure
Norfolk
Madison County
Nebraska
United States
Detached house
61%
67%
71%
61%
Attached house
5%
4%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
7%
6%
4%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
25%
20%
17%
19%
Mobile home
3%
3%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
Detached houses are the majority in Norfolk (61%), but less so than in Madison County (67%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Norfolk
Madison County
Nebraska
United States
Year built: Norfolk and its comparisons
Measure
Norfolk
Madison County
Nebraska
United States
Before 1960
27%
32%
32%
26%
1960–1979
30%
29%
25%
24%
1980–1999
25%
23%
20%
25%
2000–2009
9%
8%
12%
14%
2010 or later
9%
8%
11%
11%
By age, homes in Norfolk look like those in Madison County: the typical year built is 1976.
In Norfolk, 19% of homes have 1 bedroom or none (studios); 49% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 55% in Madison County.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K12%
$100K–$200K34%
$200K–$300K29%
$300K–$500K22%
$500K–$750K3%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Norfolk and its comparisons
Measure
Norfolk
Under $100K
12%
$100K–$200K
34%
$200K–$300K
29%
$300K–$500K
22%
$500K–$750K
3%
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
About 97% of owner-occupied homes in Norfolk are worth less than the FHA loan limit for Madison County ($541,287).
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50017%
$500–$99950%
$1,000–$1,49927%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,082
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Norfolk and its comparisons
Measure
Norfolk
Under $500
17%
$500–$999
50%
$1,000–$1,499
27%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
By rent, most homes in Norfolk cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,082): about 71%.
With a mortgage
$1,438 a month
Madison County: $1,468 a month
Without a mortgage
$690 a month
Madison County: $659 a month
Owners with a mortgage
54%
Madison County: 52%
In Norfolk, 54% of owners have a mortgage; their typical cost is $1,438 a month, about the same as in Madison County.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Norfolk+46%
Madison County+42%
Nebraska+53%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Norfolk+26%
Madison County+28%
Nebraska+29%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Norfolk+19%
Madison County+19%
Nebraska+25%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Norfolk and its comparisons
Measure
Norfolk
Madison County
Nebraska
United States
Typical home value
+46%
+42%
+53%
+53%
Typical rent
+26%
+28%
+29%
+33%
Typical household income
+19%
+19%
+25%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in Norfolk gained value faster than in Madison County: 46% against 42%.
The typical rent in Norfolk rose 26% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Madison County (28%).
Here income did not keep up with housing: it rose 19%, while home values changed +46% and rent +26%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Norfolk and its comparisons
Measure
Norfolk
Madison County
Nebraska
United States
Rental vacancy
6.6%
6.1%
4.3%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.6%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.8%
2.1%
3.4%
People per household
2.30
2.39
2.42
2.53
Drive alone
79%
79%
76%
69%
Carpool
12%
11%
9%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
2%
2%
3%
3%
Work from home
5%
6%
11%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Open rentals in Norfolk look like those in Madison County: the rental vacancy rate is 6.6%.
A household in Norfolk has 2.30 people on average, about the same as in Madison County (2.39).
In Norfolk, 79% of workers drive alone to work; in Madison County, 79%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Norfolk?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Norfolk, worth $211,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 37% of the typical household income in Norfolk, which is $58,884 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $78,803 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Madison County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Norfolk. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $7,410 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,839
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$207,865
Total interest
$299,069
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,575 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,374 a month
Tight
$1,374 to $1,767 a month
Hard
more than $1,767 a month
Your payment · 37%
Compared with the typical household income in Norfolk ($58,884 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,408
Property tax
$249
Home insurance
$88
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$94
You need at least $7,410 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,839; principal and interest $1,408.
The city and its county
Norfolk and Madison County
Norfolk is in Madison County, Nebraska. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Norfolk
Map of Madison County, Nebraska, with Norfolk marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Norfolk
Madison County
Norfolk's own numbers
Typical home value
$211,700
Typical monthly rent
$875
Typical yearly household income
$58,884
Households that own their home
61%
Effective property tax rate
1.41%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Madison County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,082
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+47%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
3.4%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Madison County.
A typical home in Norfolk is worth $211,700: about the same as the county and 11% below Nebraska. With the typical household income in Norfolk ($58,884 a year), a typical home costs 3.6 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Norfolk3.6 years
Madison3.3 years
Nebraska3.1 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Madison County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Madison County rose 83% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Madison County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Madison County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +5.1% +5.1% 2016
2017: +5.0% +5.0% 2017
2018: +6.4% +6.4% 2018
2019: +2.7% +2.7% 2019
2020: +3.1% +3.1% 2020
2021: +10.0% +10.0% 2021
2022: +10.7% +10.7% 2022
2023: +10.5% +10.5% 2023
2024: +5.6% +5.6% 2024
2025: +3.4% +3.4% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Madison County, Nebraska and the United States
Period
County
Nebraska
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+3.4%
+3.3%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+47%
+49%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+83%
+87%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Norfolk next to Madison County, Nebraska and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Norfolk$211,700
Madison$208,500
Nebraska$238,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Norfolk$875
Madison$881
Nebraska$1,072
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Norfolk$58,884
Madison$63,128
Nebraska$76,475
United States$80,734
See the full table
Norfolk next to Madison County and Nebraska
Measure
Norfolk
Madison County
Nebraska
U.S.
Typical home value
$211,700
$208,500
$238,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$875
$881
$1,072
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$58,884 ▼7% below the county
$63,128
$76,475
$80,734
Households that own their home
61% ▼5 points below the county
65%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,994 ▲5% above the county
$2,854
$3,549
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.41% ▲0.04 points above the county
1.37%
1.49%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
39% ▲1 points above the county
38%
45%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Madison County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Norfolk
For a typical $211,700 home in Norfolk, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Norfolk's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,839a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$7,410
Cash to close
$13,761
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $94
Conventional, 5% down$1,800a month
Down payment
$10,585
Cash to close
$16,936
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $101
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,484a month
Down payment
$42,340
Cash to close
$48,691
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,680a month
Down payment
$31,755
Cash to close
$38,106
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Norfolk
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,839
$7,410
$207,866
7.18%
FHA MIP · $94
$13,761
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,800
$10,585
$201,115
7.18%
PMI · $101
$16,936
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,484
$42,340
$169,360
7.18%
None
$48,691
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,680
$31,755
$179,945
8.18%
None
$38,106
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Norfolk and for Madison County.
Property tax
Effective rate in Norfolk
1.41%of the home’s value each year
$2,994 a year for the typical owner in Norfolk.
Norfolk1.41%
Madison1.37%
Nebraska1.49%
What Nebraska publishesHomestead exemption for seniors, people with disabilities and veterans (Nebraska Department of Revenue, Property Assessment Division)
Typical rent in Norfolk is $875 a month: about the same as the county. In Norfolk, 39% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Madison County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,082 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $20.81 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Madison County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$753
$14.48
$30,120
1 bedroom
$866
$16.65
$34,640
2 bedrooms
$1,082
$20.81
$43,280
3 bedrooms
$1,400
$26.92
$56,000
4 bedrooms
$1,665
$32.02
$66,600
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Norfolk
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Norfolk is in ZIP code 68701.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,110: $28 more than the fair market rent for Madison County ($1,082).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Norfolk, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
68701
$780
$880
$1,110
$1,430
$1,690
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
68701 $1,110$1,430
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Norfolk when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Madison County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Norfolk or Madison County. The ones below are statewide in Nebraska: they work in Norfolk the same as in the rest of the state.
Nebraska state authority program for first-time buyers: a NIFA mortgage plus a second mortgage of up to 5% of the price at 1%, over 10 years, for the down payment and closing costs.Offered by Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA).
Nebraska state authority option that adds a second loan for the down payment and closing costs to the Welcome Home mortgage, for first-time buyers and for people who have owned a home before; the page does not state the amount.Offered by Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Norfolk or Madison County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Norfolk and all of Madison County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Norfolk?
The typical home value in Norfolk is $211,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Madison County it is $208,500.
How much does it cost to rent in Norfolk?
Typical rent in Norfolk is $875 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Madison County is $1,082.
What is the FHA loan limit in Norfolk?
Norfolk uses the FHA limit for all of Madison County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Norfolk?
The typical homeowner in Norfolk pays $2,994 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.41% of the home’s value; in Madison County, the rate is 1.37%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Norfolk?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Madison County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
