CityCompare

Newport News VA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%

West Palm Beach, FL

Florida · Population: 119,508

  • Median HH Income$69,261
  • Median Home Price$399,650
  • Unemployment5.4%
  • Bachelor's+37.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Newport News
42.3%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +

Which City is Right for You?

West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, 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 324 in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.

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About Newport News & West Palm Beach

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