Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Flint
34.4%
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Newport News
41.0%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 34.4% | 42.3% | Newport News + |
| Black | 56.6% | 41.0% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $294,407 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 48.1% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Newport News
1726
| Metric | Flint, 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 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Newport News
40.7%
Newport News +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Newport News
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 40.7% | Newport News + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 13.5% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.6% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 60.6°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 45.4 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 25.2 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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