Lubbock TX 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)
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
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
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Newport News
34.2
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 184,774 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.2 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 64.6% | 42.3% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 10.5% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.9% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 29.1% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $294,407 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 48.1% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 40.7% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.5% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.4% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 45.4 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 25.2 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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