Fayetteville NC 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Newport News
34.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Newport News
41.0%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 184,774 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 34.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 38.3% | 42.3% | Newport News + |
| Black | 42.3% | 41.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $294,407 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 48.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 40.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 60.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 45.4 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. 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, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, NC vs New York, NYFayetteville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, NCFayetteville, NC vs Houston, TXFayetteville, NC vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA