Newport News VA vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 161,993 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 42.3% | 21.8% | Newport News + |
| Black | 41.0% | 1.4% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $28,813 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 15.5% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $751,711 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 47.0% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 22.4% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.8% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 28.8 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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