Little Rock AR 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)
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
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
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 184,774 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 46.4% | 42.3% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $37,475 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.9% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 29.1% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $294,407 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 48.1% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 40.7% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.5% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.4% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.4% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 60.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 25.2 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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