City Comparison
Portsmouth vs Newport News
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newport News scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Portsmouth
Newport News
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Portsmouth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Newport News.
| Metric | Portsmouth | Newport News | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $1,557 | -4% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,455 | $2,487 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Newport News offers 19% lower 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 Portsmouth is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Newport News.
| Metric | Portsmouth | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,000 | $74,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,830 idx | 77,895 idx |
| Household Income | $63,500 | $69,634 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Newport News sees 2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Portsmouth | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.10°F | 61.30°F |
| Summer High | 86.30°F | 85.80°F |
| Winter Low | 32.70°F | 33.60°F |
| Rainfall | 49.00 in | 44.80 in |
| Snowfall | 12.60 in | 14.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | 239 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
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 | Portsmouth | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 44.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newport News is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Portsmouth.
From a growth perspective, Newport News is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Portsmouth | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,392 | 183,230 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Portsmouth
Advantages
Median home prices in Portsmouth remain significantly more affordable than the national average and neighboring Virginia Beach per Zillow data (2025).
Rich historic character highlighted by Olde Towne, one of the largest collections of 18th- and 19th-century homes in the region.
Proximity to major military installations like the Norfolk Naval Shipyard provides strong baseline employment stability.
Access to extensive waterfront parks and scenic views along the Elizabeth River.
Growing culinary and craft beverage scene concentrated in the historic downtown core.
Drawbacks
Certain neighborhoods experience higher-than-average crime rates, requiring careful location scouting for new residents.
Public transit options are limited outside of basic bus routes, making car ownership nearly essential.
Bridge and tunnel tolls across the Hampton Roads harbor can add up for daily commuters.
Public school performance metrics lag behind some of the top-tier school districts in surrounding counties.
Vulnerability to coastal flooding and severe weather events during hurricane season.
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.
Portsmouth
#478Virginia, USA
54.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$60,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
44.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
61.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
70
Business
64
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
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