Carmel IN 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)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
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
Carmel
100,501
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 8.1% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 42.3% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 3.3% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Newport News
$66,718
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Newport News
15.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $66,718 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $37,475 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.9% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 15.1% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 29.1% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 48.1% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Newport News
1726
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1726 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Newport News
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 40.7% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.5% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 18.4% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 10.5% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.4% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 60.6°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 45.4 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, 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 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
Compare More Cities
Carmel, IN vs New York, NYCarmel, IN vs Los Angeles, CACarmel, IN vs Chicago, ILCarmel, IN vs Houston, TXCarmel, IN vs Phoenix, AZCarmel, IN vs Philadelphia, PA