Newport News VA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.5 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 42.3% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 41.0% | 6.6% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 8.2% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $871,599 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 44.3% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 383 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3409 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 19.0% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 28.8 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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