Newport News VA vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 114,080 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 42.3% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 41.0% | 6.8% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.9% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Odessa
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $35,655 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 18.3% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 39.4% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 25.4% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 18.1% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 65.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while odessa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,423. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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