Newport News VA vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 91,535 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 42.9 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 42.3% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 41.0% | 4.9% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $865,610 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 28.8% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.7% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 20.7% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.7% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 65.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 28.0 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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