Kent WA 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)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
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
Kent
84,389
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 8.1% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 42.3% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 10.5% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Newport News
$66,718
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Newport News
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Newport News
15.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $66,718 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $69,581 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 15.1% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 48.1% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 40.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.5% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.4% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.4% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Kent, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 60.6°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 45.4 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 25.2 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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