Knoxville 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)
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
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
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Newport News
34.2
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 184,774 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 34.2 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 72.2% | 42.3% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.9% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 29.1% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 48.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Knoxville, 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
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 40.7% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.5% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 60.6°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, 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
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.2 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, 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 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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