Newport News VA vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Newport News +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 109,735 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 42.5 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 42.3% | 40.6% | Newport News + |
| Black | 41.0% | 7.7% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $449,058 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 71.3°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 50.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Newport News +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 31.6 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, 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 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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