City Comparison
Blacksburg vs Newport News
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newport News scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Blacksburg
Newport News
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Newport News is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Blacksburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Blacksburg's average rent is
20% higher than Newport News's.
| Metric | Blacksburg | Newport News | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,870 | $1,557 | +20% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,870 | $2,487 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Newport News offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Newport News delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Blacksburg is estimated at
$66,480 vs $55,000 in Newport News.
| Metric | Blacksburg | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,022 | $74,000 |
| Salary Needed | $66,480 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,267 idx | 77,895 idx |
| Household Income | $50,182 | $69,634 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Newport News runs warmer on average — a 6.5°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Blacksburg sees 2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Blacksburg | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.80°F | 61.30°F |
| Summer High | 82.80°F | 85.80°F |
| Winter Low | 24.80°F | 33.60°F |
| Rainfall | 37.00 in | 44.80 in |
| Snowfall | 16.60 in | 14.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | 239 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Blacksburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Newport News.
Blacksburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Newport News leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Blacksburg | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 43.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newport News is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Blacksburg.
From a growth perspective, Newport News is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Newport News has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Blacksburg | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,446 | 183,230 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.25% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 21.9 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $2.8B | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Blacksburg
Advantages
Blacksburg boasts a very short average commute time of 14.8 minutes, significantly less than the national average.
The town is highly bike-friendly, with a Bike Score of 65, ranking it as the second most bikeable city in Virginia.
A strong job market in education, research, and technology, driven by Virginia Tech, saw a 1.93% job growth rate in 2024.
The presence of Virginia Tech fosters a youthful demographic and a vibrant cultural and intellectual environment.
Access to extensive outdoor recreational opportunities in the Appalachian Mountains, including numerous trails.
Drawbacks
The median household income of $50,182 in 2024 is considerably lower than the state average for Virginia.
The homeownership rate of 35.8% in 2024 is significantly below the national average, indicating a competitive and potentially expensive rental market.
The overall Walk Score of 43 suggests that most errands require a car, limiting pedestrian convenience in many areas.
The unemployment rate of 5.2% in 2026 is slightly higher than the national average.
The cost of living index, while moderate, can be challenging for residents given the lower median household income.
Newport News
Advantages
Median home prices in Newport News are approximately 29% below the national median per Zillow market data.
Home to Newport News Park, one of the largest municipal parks on the East Coast, offering extensive outdoor recreation.
Robust local economy driven by major defense and manufacturing employers like Newport News Shipbuilding.
Average monthly rent remains roughly 10% below typical national averages, enhancing rental affordability.
Proximity to coastal Virginia beaches, historical landmarks, and rich cultural assets like the Mariners' Museum.
Drawbacks
Certain urban pockets experience higher-than-average crime rates that require careful neighborhood selection.
Traffic congestion along major regional arteries like Interstate 64 during peak commuting hours.
Public transit options are relatively limited, leading to high reliance on personal vehicles for daily commutes.
Property tax rates and local cost burdens can fluctuate based on specific municipal district adjustments.
Summer humidity can be intense, paired with coastal weather vulnerabilities during hurricane season.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Blacksburg
#485Virginia, USA
53.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,870
Avg Salary
$61,022
Cost Index
98
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
43.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
54.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.25%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
Newport News
#403Virginia, USA
58.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,557
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
61.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
68
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