Dayton OH 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Newport News
34.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 51.3% | 42.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $294,407 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 48.1% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Newport News
40.7%
Newport News +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 40.7% | Newport News + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.5% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 60.6°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 45.4 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. 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, Newport News scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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