Jonesboro AR 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)
Jonesboro, AR
Arkansas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$225,577
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
34.2
Foreign Born
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
8.1%
White
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
41.0%
Asian
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 184,774 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 42.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 41.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
$66,718
Per Capita Income
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jonesboro
$53,714
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
15.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $66,718 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $37,475 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 29.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jonesboro
$225,577
Jonesboro +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,577 | $294,407 | Jonesboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 48.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jonesboro
660
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jonesboro
2507
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jonesboro
39.2%
Jonesboro +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jonesboro
11.4%
Jonesboro +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jonesboro
20.5%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jonesboro
11.6%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jonesboro
15.1%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jonesboro
15.7%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.2% | 40.7% | Jonesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.5% | Jonesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.5% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jonesboro
59.2°F
Jonesboro +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jonesboro
48.2 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 60.6°F | Jonesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jonesboro
9.5 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jonesboro
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jonesboro
N/A
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Jonesboro, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Jonesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,577. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Jonesboro. Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jonesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.2%.
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