Milwaukee WI 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Newport News
34.2
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 184,774 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 34.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 8.1% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 42.3% | Newport News + |
| Black | 38.6% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 3.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 10.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $294,407 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 48.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Newport News
1726
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1726 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Newport News
40.7%
Newport News +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 40.7% | Newport News + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.5% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 60.6°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 45.4 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 25.2 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newport News scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
Compare More Cities
Milwaukee, WI vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Milwaukee, WIChicago, IL vs Milwaukee, WIHouston, TX vs Milwaukee, WIMilwaukee, WI vs Phoenix, AZMilwaukee, WI vs Philadelphia, PA