New Orleans LA 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)
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Newport News
41.0%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 184,774 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 31.6% | 42.3% | Newport News + |
| Black | 55.2% | 41.0% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Newport News
$37,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Newport News
29.1%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $37,475 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 29.1% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $294,407 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 48.1% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Newport News
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 40.7% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.5% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.5% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 25.2 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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