Newport News VA vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Newport News
41.0%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 117,460 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.3 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 42.3% | 39.1% | Newport News + |
| Black | 41.0% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $62,789 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $35,740 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $54,550 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 15.5% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 28.0% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $313,219 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Newport News, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 398 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1999 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.3% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 19.8% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Newport News, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 26.8 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, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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