Abilene TX vs Newport News VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Newport News, VA
Virginia · Population: 184,774
- Median HH Income$66,718
- Median Home Price$294,407
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Newport News
34.2
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.2 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 66.6% | 42.3% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 10.5% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Newport News
15.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.9% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 15.1% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $294,407 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 48.1% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 40.7% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.5% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.4% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 60.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 45.4 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 25.2 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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