Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Newport News
41.0%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 184,774 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 11.7% | 42.3% | Newport News + |
| Black | 76.8% | 41.0% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $294,407 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 48.1% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Newport News
1726
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1726 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Newport News
40.7%
Newport News +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Newport News
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 40.7% | Newport News + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.5% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.6% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 60.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 45.4 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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