Newport News VA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Newport News
42.3%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 126,103 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 38.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 5.3% | Newport News + |
| White | 42.3% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 41.0% | 9.7% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.8% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $55,902 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $33,290 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $61,860 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 15.6% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 449 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2174 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.4% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.5% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.9% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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