Lakeland FL 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)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Lakeland
82,506
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 8.1% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 42.3% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.3% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 10.5% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Newport News
15.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.1% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 48.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Newport News
1726
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 40.7% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.5% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.4% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 60.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
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 324 in Lakeland. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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