Living in Newport News, VA
Newport News is the 146th-largest city in the US, home to about 183,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (97.9 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 183,230-1.6% since 2020
- Median home value
- $260,6003.7 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,339/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $69,634median, per year
- Price level
- 97.9US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 49° / 87°lows 32° / 71°
- Average commute
- 23 min10% work from home
- State income tax
- 5.75%top rate, graduated
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County: Newport News city
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 20 ft
Metro area: Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Cost of living in Newport News
The median home in Newport News is worth $260,600 and the median household earns $69,634 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.7 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,339 a month, about 23% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area at 97.9, with housing at 99.8 and goods at 96.8 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $73,500 here. Virginia taxes wages at a top rate of 5.75%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Virginia is 5.77%.
What would my salary be worth in Newport News?
Newport News weather
Average highs run from 49°F in January to 87°F in July, and January nights average 32°F. It gets 48 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 3 inches of snow. Expect about 30 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are April to June and October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Newport News
People and work
The median resident is 34.4 years old, and 31% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 48% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 23 minutes; 10% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 34.4150th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 31%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 48%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,65669.0 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%4% walk, 0.2% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.8%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 14.5%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1979median year
Who moves to Newport News, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from San Diego (San Diego County), Reston (Fairfax County) and Fayetteville (Cumberland County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Fayetteville (Cumberland County), Reston (Fairfax County) and Honolulu (Honolulu County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
FEMA rating for Newport News County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: winter weather.
Home prices
+3.6% in a year
Up 43% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
78% good days
1 day unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Newport News
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Old Dominion University 22 miles
- Tidewater Community College 24 miles
- ECPI University 28 miles
- William & Mary 13 miles
- Norfolk State University 25 miles
- Christopher Newport University 6 miles
- Regent University 30 miles
- Hampton University 13 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Newport News
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport PHF | 2 mi | 68,787 |
| Norfolk International Airport ORF | 25 mi | 2,444,897 |
| Richmond International Airport RIC | 50 mi | 2,456,422 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Newport News
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Dominion University | 22 mi | 17,514 | $12,913 | 43% |
| Tidewater Community College | 24 mi | 12,082 | $11,681 | 32% |
| William & Mary | 13 mi | 7,055 | $18,880 | 88% |
| Christopher Newport University | 6 mi | 4,365 | $22,310 | 75% |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | 8 mi | 3,941 | $6,830 | 31% |
| Hampton University | 13 mi | 3,727 | $25,683 | 64% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Newport News
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 24, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 5 and the first frost comes around November 15.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Langley AFB, VA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Newport News.
Wildfire smoke in Newport News
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Newport News on about 122 days a year, including about 19 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Newport News
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 76,112 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Newport News
Downtown Newport News is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport News City Public Schools | Pre-K to 12 | 25,882 | 43 | 12.5 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Hampton City Public Schools (19,472 students), York County Public Schools (13,105 students), Isle of Wight County Public Schools (5,519 students), Gloucester County Public Schools (4,917 students), Poquoson City Public Schools (2,030 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Newport News's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Newport News's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Gastonia, NC81% matchCompare
- Rock Hill, SC80% matchCompare
- Knoxville, TN75% matchCompare
- Mableton, GA75% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Newport News
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Newport News
- Wintergreen Resort 143 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Newport News
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.7 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Low natural hazard risk: FEMA rates Newport News County relatively low overall.
Cons
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what should newcomers know?
Newport News report card from locals
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Newport News through locals' eyes
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Cities near Newport News
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hampton, VA | 11 mi | 137,315 | $245,700 | 97.9 | Compare |
| Suffolk, VA | 21 mi | 104,699 | $347,400 | 97.9 | Compare |
| Norfolk, VA | 23 mi | 231,013 | $289,900 | 97.9 | Compare |
| Portsmouth, VA | 24 mi | 96,777 | $246,900 | 97.9 | Compare |
| Chesapeake, VA | 30 mi | 255,332 | $378,400 | 97.9 | Compare |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 36 mi | 453,737 | $382,500 | 97.9 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Newport News ranks 5th of 10 in our best suburbs of Virginia Beach ranking.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Newport News with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Newport News a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show homes that cost under four years of median income. Compare Newport News side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Newport News?
The Census Bureau estimates Newport News had 183,230 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 186,235 in April 2020 (-1.6%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Newport News?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $73,500 in the Newport News area. The median household here earns $69,634.
When is the best time to visit Newport News?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, April to June and October are the most comfortable months. July averages 87°F and January 49°F for daytime highs.
What county is Newport News in?
Newport News is in Newport News city, Virginia. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Newport News in?
Newport News is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Newport News?
About 20 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Virginia have a state income tax?
Yes. Virginia has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5.75% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Newport News. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Langley AFB, VA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.