City Comparison
Newport News vs Danville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Danville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Newport News
Danville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Danville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Newport News.
Housing costs are a major driver: Newport News's average rent is
56% higher than Danville's.
| Metric | Newport News | Danville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,557 | $1,000 | +56% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $229 | -21% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,487 | $2,049 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 87 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Newport News offers 16% 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 Newport News is estimated at
$55,000 vs $64,000 in Danville.
| Metric | Newport News | Danville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $63,871 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $64,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 77,895 idx | 73,415 idx |
| Household Income | $69,634 | $44,423 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Newport News runs warmer on average — a 61.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Newport News comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Newport News sees 14.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Newport News | Danville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 14.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Danville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Newport News.
Newport News 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 | Newport News | Danville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newport News is the larger city
— approximately 4.4x the population of Danville.
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 | Newport News | Danville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,230 | 41,493 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 40.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Danville
Advantages
Danville boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
The city is experiencing substantial economic development, including a $1.6 billion investment in a new manufacturing facility creating over 1,800 jobs.
Danville's housing market is highly affordable, with a housing affordability index of 138 in 2024, well above the state average.
The tourism sector in Danville is Virginia's fastest-growing, with visitor spending increasing by 23.5% in 2024.
Sovah Health Danville received an 'A' safety grade in Spring 2024, indicating high-quality care in specific medical procedures and conditions.
Drawbacks
Danville's overall population is projected to decline annually, primarily due to deaths outnumbering births, despite positive in-migration.
The city has a higher total crime index (145 in 2024) compared to the national average (100), indicating a greater prevalence of crime.
Danville is a car-dependent city, with a low Walk Score of 26, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The median household income in Danville ($44,423 in 2024) is significantly lower than the statewide median income.
Sovah Health Danville has an overall CMS hospital rating of 2 out of 5 stars as of April 2026, suggesting areas for improvement in overall quality despite good safety.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Danville
#388Virginia, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,000
Avg Salary
$63,871
Cost Index
87
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
26.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
75
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