Newport News VA vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Newport News
42.3%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 118,578 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.5 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 5.7% | Newport News + |
| White | 42.3% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 41.0% | 14.9% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 8.9% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $63,900 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 16.3% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 46.8% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 398 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1999 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 42.7% | Newport News + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.8% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.4% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Newport News +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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