Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Newport News
34.2
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 34.2 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 8.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 42.3% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.3% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 10.5% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.9% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 29.1% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 48.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Newport News
1726
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 40.7% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.5% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.4% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 60.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.2 min | Gainesville + |
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 324 in Gainesville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
Compare More Cities
Gainesville, FL vs New York, NYGainesville, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gainesville, FLGainesville, FL vs Houston, TXGainesville, FL vs Phoenix, AZGainesville, FL vs Philadelphia, PA