Kansas City MO 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 184,774 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 8.1% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 42.3% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 10.5% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Newport News
$66,718
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Newport News
15.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $66,718 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $37,475 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 15.1% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 29.1% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $294,407 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 48.1% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 40.7% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 60.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 45.4 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.2 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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