Burlington VT 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)
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
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
Burlington
44,649
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Newport News
34.2
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 34.2 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 85.8% | 42.3% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.3% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Newport News
$66,718
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $66,718 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $37,475 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.9% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 29.1% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 48.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Newport News
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Newport News
1726
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 240 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 1726 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Newport News
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 40.7% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 13.5% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 10.5% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.4% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | 60.6°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 45.4 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.2 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while newport News offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,407. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Newport News. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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