Newport News VA vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 147,649 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.5 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 42.3% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 41.0% | 21.8% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $53,328 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $30,409 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $68,110 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.6% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 21.9% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 23.2% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 344 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1842 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Newport News +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 44.7% | Newport News + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.4% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.0% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.0% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.5% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 18.1% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Newport News 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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