City Comparison
Newport News vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newport News scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Newport News
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Newport News is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Newport News | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,557 | $1,450 | +7% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,487 | $2,570 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Newport News offers 15% 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 $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Newport News | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 77,895 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $69,634 | $59,646 |
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 | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 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 | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newport News is the larger city
— approximately 4.6x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass 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 | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,230 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 40.8 |
| 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.
Grants Pass
Advantages
Access to world-class outdoor recreation on the Rogue River, including rafting and fishing.
More sunny days and a warmer, drier climate compared to much of western Oregon.
Housing is comparatively more affordable than larger West Coast cities and some other Oregon metros.
A growing arts and food scene in a walkable, historic downtown.
Friendly community atmosphere appealing to families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, particularly due to property crime.
Limited high-wage job opportunities compared to larger economic centers.
Air quality can be impacted by wildfire smoke during certain seasons.
Presence of a significant homeless population in the downtown core.
High car dependency due to minimal public transportation options.
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
Grants Pass
#584Oregon, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
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