Chattanooga TN 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)
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
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
Chattanooga
182,832
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 58.4% | 42.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $37,475 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 29.1% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 48.1% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 40.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.5% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 60.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.2 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, 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 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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