Newport News VA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.4 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 42.3% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 41.0% | 18.9% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 8.9% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $427,121 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Virginia Beach
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Virginia Beach
1726
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while newport News offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,407. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Newport News. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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