Akron OH 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)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
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
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 184,774 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 56.1% | 42.3% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.3% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $294,407 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 48.1% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Newport News
40.7%
Newport News +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Newport News
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 40.7% | Newport News + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.5% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.5% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 60.6°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 45.4 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 25.2 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newport News scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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