Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Houston
35.5%
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 184,774 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 8.1% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 42.3% | Newport News + |
| Black | 22.9% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.3% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 10.5% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $37,475 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 29.1% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $294,407 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 48.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 40.7% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.5% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.4% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.4% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
Compare More Cities
Houston, TX vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TX