City Comparison
Charlottesville vs Newport News
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Charlottesville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Charlottesville
Newport News
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Newport News is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Charlottesville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Charlottesville's average rent is
12% higher than Newport News's.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Newport News | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,557 | +12% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,695 | $2,487 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Newport News offers 8% 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 Charlottesville is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Newport News.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $74,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,762 idx | 77,895 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $69,634 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Charlottesville comes out ahead with 25 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Charlottesville sees 3.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.90°F | 61.30°F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | 85.80°F |
| Winter Low | 26.00°F | 33.60°F |
| Rainfall | 33.90 in | 44.80 in |
| Snowfall | 18.40 in | 14.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 264 | 239 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Charlottesville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Newport News.
Charlottesville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Charlottesville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newport News is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Charlottesville.
From a growth perspective, Charlottesville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Charlottesville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,214 | 183,230 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Charlottesville
Advantages
UVA Health and the University of Virginia provide world-class employment, education, and healthcare access
Exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities with immediate proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park
Vibrant culinary and arts scene anchored by the pedestrian-friendly historic Downtown Mall
Strong local economy with robust job stability and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem
Highly educated and culturally engaged community with a rich historical heritage
Drawbacks
Housing and rental costs are significantly higher than the national average and surrounding rural counties
Peak-hour traffic congestion along major corridors like Route 29 can be frustrating for commuters
Competitive rental market driven by the annual influx of University of Virginia students
Limited public transit options for commuting from outlying suburban or rural areas
Property taxes and local cost of living indices trend higher than the broader state average
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.
Charlottesville
#256Virginia, USA
62.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
264/yr
Avg Temp
57.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
77
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Charlottesville and Newport News.
Open Cost Calculator