Newport News VA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.1 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 42.3% | 36.1% | Newport News + |
| Black | 41.0% | 39.9% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $60,698 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,080 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.4% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 22.0% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 319 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 48.5 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 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
Newport News +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 34.5 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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