City Comparison
Leesburg vs Newport News
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Leesburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Leesburg
Newport News
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Newport News is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in Leesburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Leesburg's average rent is
80% higher than Newport News's.
| Metric | Leesburg | Newport News | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,800 | $1,557 | +80% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $3,830 | $2,487 | +54% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Leesburg offers 24% higher 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 Leesburg is estimated at
$75,000 vs $55,000 in Newport News.
| Metric | Leesburg | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $92,000 | $74,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,875 idx | 77,895 idx |
| Household Income | $145,205 | $69,634 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Leesburg sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Leesburg | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.40°F | 61.30°F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | 85.80°F |
| Winter Low | 25.90°F | 33.60°F |
| Rainfall | 43.40 in | 44.80 in |
| Snowfall | 15.00 in | 14.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | 239 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Leesburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Leesburg | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newport News is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Leesburg.
From a growth perspective, Leesburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Leesburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Leesburg | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 49,171 | 183,230 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Leesburg
Advantages
Median household income is exceptionally high at $145,205 per U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Crime rates are well below national averages, providing an exceptionally safe community environment.
Over 57% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, fostering a highly educated and skilled local populace.
Vibrant, historic downtown core featuring award-winning dining, craft breweries, and boutique shopping.
Abundant recreational access, including direct connection to the 45-mile W&OD Trail and nearby Loudoun wine country.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing expenses are substantially higher than the U.S. national average.
Average rent prices exceed $2,750 per month, placing a heavy burden on renters.
Median home purchase values hover around $667,800, making first-time home buying challenging.
Heavy reliance on automobiles for daily commuting and errands can lead to localized peak-hour congestion on major arteries like Route 7.
High property values drive up overall property tax and housing costs across the municipality.
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.
Leesburg
#244Virginia, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,800
Avg Salary
$92,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
56.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
84
Business
78
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 Leesburg and Newport News.
Open Cost Calculator