Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Newport News
184,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Newark
16.5%
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Newport News
41.0%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 184,774 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 8.1% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 42.3% | Newport News + |
| Black | 46.7% | 41.0% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 10.5% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Newport News
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $69,581 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $294,407 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 48.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Newport News
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Newport News
1726
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 240 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1726 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 40.7% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.5% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 60.6°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while newport News offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,407. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Newport News. 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, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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