Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Newport News
34.2
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.2 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 8.1% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 42.3% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 3.3% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 10.5% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Newport News
$66,718
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Newport News
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $66,718 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $37,475 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 29.1% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 48.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Newport News
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 40.7% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 18.4% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.5% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.4% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 60.6°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 45.4 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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