Bellingham WA 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)
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
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
Bellingham
92,367
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 8.1% | Bellingham + |
| White | 79.5% | 42.3% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.3% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Newport News
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $37,475 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,581 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.9% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 29.1% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 48.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Newport News
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 40.7% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.5% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.5% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.4% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 60.6°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 45.4 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.2 min | Bellingham + |
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 383 in Bellingham. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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