Newport News VA vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Newport News
42.3%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 98,677 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.0 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 7.5% | Newport News + |
| White | 42.3% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 41.0% | 29.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.1% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 8.6% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Roanoke
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $52,671 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $34,792 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 19.7% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 28.9% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Roanoke
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Roanoke
1726
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Roanoke, 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%
Newport News +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Roanoke
18.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 41.9% | Newport News + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.9% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.0% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.7% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.7% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Roanoke, 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
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Newport News. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newport News scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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