Lancaster CA 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Newport News
34.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 8.1% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 42.3% | Newport News + |
| Black | 21.4% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.3% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 10.5% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Newport News
$66,718
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Newport News
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $66,718 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 48.1% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 40.7% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.5% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 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 | 14.0% | 14.4% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 60.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 45.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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