Newport News VA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newport News
184,774
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newport News
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Newport News
34.2
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Newport News
8.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Newport News
42.3%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Newport News
3.3%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Newport News
10.5%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Newport News
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 42.3% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 41.0% | 12.1% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newport News
$66,718
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newport News
$69,581
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Newport News
5.9%
Newport News +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Newport News
29.1%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,718 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,475 | $35,825 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | Newport News + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.1% | 19.8% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newport News
$294,407
Newport News +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Newport News
48.1%
Newport News +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,407 | $435,532 | Newport News + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 42.4% | Newport News + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newport News
1726
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 326 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
40.7%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.5%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newport News
18.4%
Newport News +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newport News
10.5%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.9% | Newport News + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.1% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.5% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
60.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 48.1 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newport News
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.2 min | 27.3 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, 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 326 in Worcester. Newport News has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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