Newport News VA vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 42.3% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 41.0% | 22.5% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 4.2% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $64,137 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,080 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 19.5% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 47.2% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Pittsburgh
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 319 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Pittsburgh. 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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