El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Newport News
34.2
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Newport News
8.1%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 184,774 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.2 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 8.1% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 42.3% | Newport News + |
| Black | 3.6% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 10.5% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $294,407 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 48.1% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 40.7% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.5% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.4% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.4% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 60.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 45.4 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 25.2 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
Compare More Cities
El Paso, TX vs New York, NYEl Paso, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs El Paso, TXEl Paso, TX vs Houston, TXEl Paso, TX vs Phoenix, AZEl Paso, TX vs Philadelphia, PA