Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 184,774 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 8.1% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 42.3% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 3.3% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 10.5% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Newport News
$66,718
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Newport News
15.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $66,718 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $37,475 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 15.1% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 29.1% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 48.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 40.7% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.5% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.4% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.4% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 60.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 45.4 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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