Newport News VA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 141,925 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 42.3% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 41.0% | 20.4% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.0% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $51,468 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $28,819 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 24.0% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 28.6% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.4% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 20.4% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.2% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 66.6°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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