Newport News VA vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 142,878 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.3 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 42.3% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 41.0% | 2.2% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $505,085 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 512 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3234 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.2% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.4% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 32.8 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, 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 512 in Thornton. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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