Newport News VA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Newport News
42.3%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 26,509 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.7 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 7.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 42.3% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 41.0% | 3.6% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 3.9% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,467 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $344,633 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Rochester
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 284 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1992 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.0% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 28.3 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, 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 284 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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