Newport News VA vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Shreveport
183,483
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 183,483 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.5 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 2.6% | Newport News + |
| White | 42.3% | 36.5% | Newport News + |
| Black | 41.0% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.5% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 3.9% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $48,465 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $33,788 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $55,297 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.9% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 23.6% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 27.5% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 643 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2824 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Newport News +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Shreveport
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 43.1% | Newport News + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.6% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.1% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.5% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 19.1% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 52.7 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. 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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