Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 8.1% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 42.3% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.3% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 10.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Newport News
$66,718
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Newport News
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Newport News
15.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $66,718 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $37,475 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $69,581 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.9% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 15.1% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 29.1% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 48.1% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Newport News
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Newport News
1726
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 240 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1726 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Newport News
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 40.7% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.5% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.4% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 60.6°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 45.4 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while newport News offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,407. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Newport News. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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