Newport News VA vs Pasadena CA — 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 67,231 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 42.5 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 42.3% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 41.0% | 2.2% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 7.1% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $1,215,642 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.4% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 67.0°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, 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 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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