Newport News VA
Virginia · Pop. 184,216
Newport News, VA: median household income of $69,634, median rent of $1,339/mo, 5.8% unemployment. Our verdict: It Depends.
Score Breakdown
Key Metrics
Median Income
$69,634
per year
Median Rent
$1,339
per month
Median Home
$261k
home value
Unemployment
5.8%
of labor force
Poverty Rate
14.5%
below poverty line
Avg. Commute
23 min
one way
City Reality Check balanced
"Newport News, VA Reality Check"
In Newport News, the rent-to-income burden runs around 23% — refreshingly manageable by national standards. Median income sits at $69,634 and median rent is $1,339/month. 49% of renters are cost-burdened (30%+ of income on housing). Landlords are winning; everyone else is treading water. Median home value: $260,600 — that's 3.7× the median income. Employment picture: 5.77% unemployment — a average employment landscape. Poverty rate: 14.5%. Average commute: 23 minutes — acceptable. Violent crime: 52.7/100k avg monthly rate (4548 reported); Property crime: 186.9/100k avg monthly rate (16123 reported). Newport News was founded in 1881 — that's 145 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 119.5 sq miles at 1,542 people/sq mile — spread out. Elevation: 49 ft — essentially flat — floods are a real conversation. RoastMyCity overall score: 66/100 — It Depends.
Local Context
Safety
/100Violent crime: 52.7/100k avg monthly rate (4548 reported); Property crime: 186.9/100k avg monthly rate (16123 reported).