Brockton MA 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)
Brockton, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 105,080
- Median HH Income$77,089
- Median Home Price$506,468
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Brockton
105,080
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 8.1% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 42.3% | Newport News + |
| Black | 38.3% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 10.5% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Newport News
$66,718
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Newport News
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Newport News
15.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $66,718 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,581 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 15.1% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 48.1% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Newport News
1726
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1726 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Newport News
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 40.7% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.5% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.5% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 60.6°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, 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 326 in Brockton. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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