Newport News VA vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 42.3% | 41.5% | Newport News + |
| Black | 41.0% | 37.5% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.2% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $46,628 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $30,451 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 26.6% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 37.2% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.3% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.9% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.3% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.6% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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 38.0%.
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