Newport News VA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 176,666 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.7 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 42.3% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 41.0% | 1.6% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $36,477 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,691 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $438,754 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 355 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3001 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Newport News +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 41.4% | Newport News + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.6% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.2% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 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
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, 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 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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