Fayetteville AR 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)
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
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
Fayetteville
97,227
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Newport News
34.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 75.6% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $37,475 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 29.1% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 48.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Newport News
10.5%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 40.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 13.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.5% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.4% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 60.6°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 25.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while newport News offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,407. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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