Modesto CA 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Newport News
3.3%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 184,774 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 8.1% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 42.3% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 3.3% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 10.5% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Newport News
$66,718
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Newport News
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Newport News
15.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $66,718 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 15.1% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 48.1% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 40.7% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.5% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.4% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 60.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 45.4 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while newport News offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,407. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
Compare More Cities
Modesto, CA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Modesto, CAChicago, IL vs Modesto, CAHouston, TX vs Modesto, CAModesto, CA vs Phoenix, AZModesto, CA vs Philadelphia, PA