Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 184,774 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 8.1% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 42.3% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.3% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 10.5% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Newport News
15.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 15.1% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $294,407 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 48.1% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Newport News
1726
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1726 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 40.7% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.5% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 60.6°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 45.4 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.2 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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