Newport News VA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.3 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 42.3% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 41.0% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $496,966 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tacoma, 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%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.7% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.8% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 31.1 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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