Newport News VA vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Newport News
42.3%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 36.6 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 6.6% | Newport News + |
| White | 42.3% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 41.0% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 5.1% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $55,279 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,527 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 19.8% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 45.4% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Newport News, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 501 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2418 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.9% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.8% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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