Columbia 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Newport News
34.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 49.9% | 42.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $37,475 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 29.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $294,407 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 48.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Columbia, 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
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 40.7% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 60.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, 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
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 25.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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