City Comparison
Newport News vs Suffolk
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Suffolk scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Newport News
Suffolk
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Newport News is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Suffolk.
| Metric | Newport News | Suffolk | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,557 | $1,697 | -8% |
| Groceries | $400 | $360 | +11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $325 | -45% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,487 | $2,532 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Newport News offers 53% 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 $67,872 in Suffolk.
| Metric | Newport News | Suffolk |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $48,468 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $67,872 |
| Purchasing Power | 77,895 idx | 49,457 idx |
| Household Income | $69,634 | $92,666 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Newport News sees 2.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Newport News | Suffolk |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.30°F | 60.50°F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | 85.50°F |
| Winter Low | 33.60°F | 31.10°F |
| Rainfall | 44.80 in | 47.70 in |
| Snowfall | 14.60 in | 12.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | 246 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Newport News has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Suffolk.
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 | Suffolk |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 15.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 70.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newport News is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Suffolk.
From a growth perspective, Suffolk is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Suffolk has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Newport News | Suffolk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,230 | 104,699 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.64% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.00% |
| 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.
Suffolk
Advantages
Suffolk's overall cost of living is 2.1% below the national average, making it relatively affordable.
The city boasts a high livability score of 77/100, indicating a good quality of life.
Employment in Suffolk grew by 1.3% over the past year, with a projected future job growth of 35.2% over ten years.
Suffolk offers abundant natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, including the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Healthcare facilities like Sentara Obici Hospital have received 'Patient Safety Excellence Awards' (2026, 2025, 2024), indicating high-quality care.
Drawbacks
Suffolk is a car-dependent city with a low Walk Score of 15, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The average commute time of 30.2 minutes is longer than the national average, and traffic can be an issue.
Property crime rates are 9% higher than the national average, despite an overall crime rate that is slightly lower.
Utilities in Suffolk are about 50% higher than the Virginia city average, primarily driven by sewer costs.
Public transportation options are limited, contributing to car dependency and potentially longer commutes.
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
Suffolk
#268Virginia, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,697
Avg Salary
$48,468
Cost Index
98
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
15.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
60.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.64%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
77
Business
70
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