Newport News VA vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 47,823 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 36.8 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 42.3% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 41.0% | 1.8% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.6% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $50,294 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $28,418 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $53,141 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 24.2% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 19.6% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $362,476 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 834 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3177 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.0% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
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, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Newport News, VALos Angeles, CA vs Newport News, VAChicago, IL vs Newport News, VAHouston, TX vs Newport News, VANewport News, VA vs Phoenix, AZNewport News, VA vs Philadelphia, PA