Newport News VA vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.5 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 42.3% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 41.0% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.1% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 10.3% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Richmond
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $62,671 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 18.8% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $374,265 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 43.5% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Richmond
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Richmond
1726
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.7% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.2% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while newport News offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,407. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Newport News. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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