Newport News VA vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Newport News
42.3%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 102,558 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 7.2% | Newport News + |
| White | 42.3% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 41.0% | 12.9% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.7% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $58,568 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $31,987 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 17.4% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 25.0% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Wichita Falls, 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%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.9% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.8% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.9% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 63.4°F | Newport News + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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