Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 184,774 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 8.1% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 42.3% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.3% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Newport News
$66,718
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $66,718 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $37,475 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 29.1% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 48.1% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Newport News
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Newport News
1726
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 240 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1726 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Newport News
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Newport News
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 60.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 45.4 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 25.2 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while newport News offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,407. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Newport News. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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