Johnson City TN 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)
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
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
Johnson City
71,455
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 84.0% | 42.3% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 29.1% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $294,407 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 48.1% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 40.7% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.5% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.2 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. 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, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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