Newport News VA vs Norfolk VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Newport News, VA
Virginia · Population: 184,774
- Median HH Income$66,718
- Median Home Price$294,407
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Newport News
42.3%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 7.7% | Newport News + |
| White | 42.3% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 41.0% | 39.8% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 9.9% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Norfolk
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $64,017 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $37,433 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 17.3% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $310,519 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 45.7% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Norfolk
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Norfolk
1726
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.9% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.1% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 60.6°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 50.8 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
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, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Newport News. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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