Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Newport News
34.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 8.1% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 42.3% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.3% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 10.5% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 29.1% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 48.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Newport News
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Newport News
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 60.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 25.2 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while newport News offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,407. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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