Newport News VA vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.6 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 42.3% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 41.0% | 5.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.1% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $54,546 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $31,152 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 18.8% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $324,946 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 450 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2150 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.7% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 69.8°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, 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 450 in Tucson. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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