Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Newport News
41.0%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 184,774 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 8.1% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 42.3% | Newport News + |
| Black | 60.0% | 41.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Newport News
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $37,475 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $69,581 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 29.1% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $294,407 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 48.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Newport News
1726
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1726 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Newport News
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 40.7% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.5% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.5% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 60.6°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 45.4 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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