Newport News VA vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.6 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 42.3% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 41.0% | 5.8% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,691 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $538,687 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 355 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3001 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.7% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 78.3 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 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 +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 26.5 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland 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, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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