City Comparison
Newport News vs Winchester
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Winchester scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Newport News
Winchester
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Newport News is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Winchester.
| Metric | Newport News | Winchester | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,557 | $1,700 | -8% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,487 | $2,650 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 95 | 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 $55,000 in Winchester.
| Metric | Newport News | Winchester |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 77,895 idx | 67,368 idx |
| Household Income | $69,634 | $63,974 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Newport News runs warmer on average — a 5.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Winchester comes out ahead with 22 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Newport News sees 0.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Newport News | Winchester |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.30°F | 55.80°F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | 84.80°F |
| Winter Low | 33.60°F | 25.10°F |
| Rainfall | 44.80 in | 35.70 in |
| Snowfall | 14.60 in | 14.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | 261 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Winchester has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Newport News.
For walkability, Winchester leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Newport News | Winchester |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newport News is the larger city
— approximately 6.5x the population of Winchester.
From a growth perspective, Winchester is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Winchester has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Newport News | Winchester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,230 | 28,272 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.90% |
| 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.
Winchester
Advantages
Median home purchase values remain notably more affordable than neighboring Northern Virginia markets per Zillow and U.S. Census data.
Winchester registered the third-highest post-2020 Census growth rate among Virginia cities per the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Policy.
Comprehensive medical infrastructure anchored by Winchester Medical Center and Valley Health System ensures top-tier healthcare access.
Robust educational partnerships with Shenandoah University and Laurel Ridge Community College drive strong workforce development.
Proximity to outdoor amenities, including Shenandoah National Park and regional apple orchards, provides exceptional recreational lifestyle value.
Drawbacks
Poverty rates in the immediate city limits stand higher than state averages per recent U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Rents and property values have experienced upward pressure driven by an influx of regional relocations.
Heavy reliance on personal vehicles contributes to localized rush-hour congestion along primary corridors like Interstate 81.
Limited local public transit infrastructure creates high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Local sales and meals taxes in the region add slightly to everyday consumer expenses.
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
Winchester
#289Virginia, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,700
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
261/yr
Avg Temp
55.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.78%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
76
Business
70
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