Newport News VA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Newport News
42.3%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 102,866 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 42.3% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 41.0% | 24.4% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.7% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $52,512 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $29,511 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,697 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 22.6% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 370 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.2% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.3% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.6% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.3% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 18.2% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 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
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. 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, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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