Newport News VA vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.6 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 42.3% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 41.0% | 21.3% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 15.9% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $376,530 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.9% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.7% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 73.4°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 46.3 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 26.8 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, 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 324 in Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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