Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- 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
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Newport News
41.0%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 184,774 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 27.7% | 42.3% | Newport News + |
| Black | 63.0% | 41.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 29.1% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $294,407 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 48.1% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Newport News
40.7%
Newport News +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Newport News
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 40.7% | Newport News + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.5% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.4% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.6% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 60.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.2 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. 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%.
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