Newport News VA vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Newport News
42.3%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 8.0% | Newport News + |
| White | 42.3% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 41.0% | 35.7% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 8.6% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $55,931 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $35,704 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 23.2% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 39.5% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Tallahassee
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.3% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.2% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.7% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 67.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 58.1 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tallahassee. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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