Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 72.9% | 42.3% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Newport News
$66,718
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Newport News
15.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $66,718 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $37,475 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.9% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 29.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 48.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Newport News
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 40.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.4% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.5% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.4% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 60.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, SC vs New York, NYCharleston, SC vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, SC vs Chicago, ILCharleston, SC vs Houston, TXCharleston, SC vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, SC vs Philadelphia, PA