Newport News VA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Newport News
42.3%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 107,699 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 4.7% | Newport News + |
| White | 42.3% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 41.0% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.6% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 5.2% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $48,536 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $31,324 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $51,690 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.0% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 23.8% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 45.1% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 400 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1734 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 42.6% | Newport News + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 21.3% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.7% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 65.0°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 55.0 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newport News scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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