countyscore
31
County Score
Weather & Climate 67.9Lawn Care 62.3Income & Jobs 61.1

County Report Card

About Newport News city, Virginia

Facing National Livability Hurdles

Newport News city scores 31.1, falling considerably below the national median of 50.0. This ranking highlights significant challenges compared to typical American cities.

Trailing Virginia State Averages

The city's score of 31.1 is well below the Virginia state average of 50.9. Its urban environment faces different pressures than the more affluent surrounding counties.

Stable Incomes and Health Services

Despite overall challenges, the city maintains a decent income score of 58.4 and a health score of 53.4. Median household income remains competitive for the region at $66,718.

Safety and Environmental Risks

Safety is a primary concern with a score of 8.6, and a risk score of 27.8 indicates vulnerability to environmental factors. While water data is currently unavailable, high taxes also impact overall affordability.

For the Resilient Urban Professional

Newport News suits residents who prioritize proximity to major regional employers over suburban security metrics. It is best for those who value urban health access and mid-range industrial wages.

2040608010034.711.78.653.44461.127.867.9Tax34.7Cost11.7Safety8.6Health53.4Schools44Income61.1Risk27.8Water—Weather67.931/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Newport News city DNA

Foverall

How Newport News city compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Newport News city is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Weather & Climate (67.9/100) but notably weak in Safety (8.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
34.7-17.299999999999997
Cost
11.7-36.3
Safety
8.6-46.4
Health
53.4
Schools
44-10
Income
61.1+10.100000000000001
Risk
27.8-19.2
Weather
67.9+11.900000000000006
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Newport News city

Whether buying or refinancing in Newport News city, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$260,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,339/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$260,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$53,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $69,634/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

16.8

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Newport News city with Genesee County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Genesee County
Michigan
Median income: $62,281
31
Halifax County
North Carolina
Median income: $45,590
31
Lane County
Oregon
Median income: $71,544
31
Lake County
California
Median income: $60,621
31.1
Capitol Planning Region
Connecticut
Median income: $93,394
31.1
DeSoto County
Florida
Median income: $54,417
30.9
Kalamazoo County
Michigan
Median income: $72,532
30.9
Muskogee County
Oklahoma
Median income: $53,619
30.9

Nearby counties

Poquoson city
Virginia
55.5
Hampton city
Virginia
33
York County
Virginia
52.3
Williamsburg city
Virginia
49.3
Portsmouth city
Virginia
26.6
James City County
Virginia
56.2
Norfolk city
Virginia
27.1
Surry County
Virginia
64.9

Deep Dives

Newport News city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Newport News city

via TaxByCounty

Newport News: among nation's highest rates

Newport News's effective tax rate of 1.030% ranks in the nation's highest percentile, and its median tax of $2,507 sits slightly below the national median of $2,690. Despite lower home values, the city's tax burden substantially exceeds most American municipalities.

Virginia's heaviest property tax burden

Newport News carries the highest effective tax rate in Virginia at 1.030%, nearly 54% above the state average of 0.671%. Its median tax of $2,507 is 28% above Virginia's state average, making it the state's costliest jurisdiction for property owners.

Newport News dwarfs surrounding counties

Newport News's 1.030% rate far exceeds neighboring Norfolk (1.007%), Northumberland (0.481%), and Northampton (0.605%). As an independent city with extensive urban services, Newport News maintains the region's most aggressive tax rate to fund its municipal obligations.

The Newport News annual property tax

A median-valued Newport News home at $243,300 generates an annual property tax of roughly $2,507. At $209 per month, this represents one of the nation's heaviest burdens despite relatively affordable home prices.

Appeal your assessment in Newport News

Newport News residents paying high taxes should file a free assessment appeal, especially if property values in the neighborhood have declined or stabilized. Many homeowners in high-tax cities discover their assessments lag behind current market conditions and successfully reduce their bills.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Newport News city

via IncomeByCounty

Newport News trails national income

Newport News's median household income of $66,718 falls $8,037 short of the national median of $74,755, placing the city in the lower-middle range of American localities. The per capita income of $37,475 reflects a broad, diverse workforce typical of military and industrial hubs.

Below Virginia's earning level

At $66,718, Newport News earns $8,239 less than Virginia's state average of $74,957, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of Virginia's jurisdictions. The city's economy lags the state baseline despite its large population base.

Lower-income urban center

Newport News's $66,718 income ranks below neighboring Norfolk ($64,017) by a small margin and substantially trails all higher-income counties like Middlesex ($74,154) and Northumberland ($69,500). The city reflects typical lower-income patterns for urban and military-dependent areas.

Housing costs strain budgets

Newport News has a rent-to-income ratio of 23.1%—approaching the danger zone where housing begins to crowd out savings and other essentials. With a median home value of $243,300, many households must carefully manage budgets to afford stable housing.

Strategic planning beats income gaps

Moderate incomes and higher housing cost ratios require disciplined financial planning in Newport News to build long-term wealth. Prioritize eliminating high-interest debt, negotiate lower insurance rates, and maximize employer benefits—small savings add up to meaningful security over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Newport News city

via CrimeByCounty

Navigating Safety in Newport News

Newport News holds a safety score of 95.4, which is lower than the national standard. The city's total crime rate of 2,917.1 per 100,000 residents exceeds the national average of 2,385.5.

Below the Virginia Safety Average

Newport News ranks lower in safety than the state average score of 97.3. Its total crime rate is significantly higher than the Virginia average of 1,728.8, driven largely by urban activity.

High Activity Relative to State Neighbors

Data from a single reporting agency shows Newport News faces a higher crime frequency than many surrounding counties. Its crime rate is roughly 68% higher than the typical Virginia community average.

Understanding Violent and Property Crime Risks

Property crime is the primary concern at 2,296.4 per 100,000, while the violent crime rate of 620.7 is nearly double the national average. These figures suggest a need for higher vigilance in densely populated urban areas.

Investing in Urban Home Defense

For Newport News residents, active home monitoring and reinforced locks provide a critical layer of protection. Visible security cameras and alarm systems are proven deterrents in areas with higher property crime rates.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Newport News city

via WeatherByCounty

A warm coastal urban climate

Newport News records an annual average temperature of 59.5°F, which is quite warm compared to national figures. The city receives 45.1 inches of rain, typical for the Atlantic coastline.

Warmer than the state median

The city's average temperature exceeds the Virginia state average of 55.9°F by several degrees. This makes it one of the warmer urban centers in the Commonwealth.

Consistent with Tidewater patterns

Newport News shares a nearly identical 59.5°F average with Mecklenburg County to the west. It remains slightly cooler than Norfolk city, which averages 61.0°F.

Hot summers and mild winters

The city endures 43 days of extreme heat above 90°F every year. Winters are very mild, with December through February temperatures averaging 41.8°F.

Hydration and cooling are key

Residents should prepare for over six weeks of extreme heat with high-capacity cooling systems. Heavy winter coats are rarely needed given the mild 41.8°F winter average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Newport News city

via SoilByCounty

Urban Soils on the Coast

Soil data for this developed city is largely unclassified in federal surveys. Unlike the state average pH of 5.23, urban soils here are often influenced by construction fill and human activity.

Unknown Coastal Textures

Specific percentages for sand, silt, and clay are unavailable for this urban area. Gardeners in Newport News should perform a home jar test to determine their local soil texture before planting.

Growing in an Urban Environment

While organic matter data is missing, urban soils generally require supplemental compost to reach the state average of 2.90%. The city's maritime location suggests a unique potential for nutrient-rich coastal sediments.

Coastal Drainage Challenges

Specific drainage and hydrologic group data are not recorded for this city. In this coastal setting, drainage is often dictated by local elevation and proximity to the James River.

Thriving in Zone 8a

The warm Zone 8a climate allows for a long growing season that supports figs, camellias, and southern magnolias. Start a garden to discover the hidden potential of your specific urban plot.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Newport News city

via LawnByCounty

Favorable Conditions for Coastal Lawns

Newport News earns a lawn score of 62.3, indicating much easier growing conditions than the national average of 50.0. This 8a hardiness zone benefits from a coastal climate that tempers winter freezes.

Long Growing Season with Coastal Heat

The city sees 43 extreme heat days annually, which is significantly higher than the state average. Fortunately, the 45.1 inches of annual precipitation provides the necessary hydration to help turf recover from high temperatures.

Soil Testing is Essential

While specific city-wide soil data is limited, the coastal location often means sandy loam textures. We recommend a local soil test to determine your specific pH and whether you need to add lime or phosphorus.

Manageable Drought Periods

The city has only faced 6 weeks of drought over the past year. Even with 100% of the area currently labeled abnormally dry, standard irrigation practices are usually enough to maintain a healthy lawn here.

Extended Window for Coastal Growth

Bermudagrass is a perfect match for the heat and humidity of Newport News. Your growing window is generous, starting after the last frost on April 1 and lasting until the first frost on November 9.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Newport News city's county score?
Newport News city, Virginia has a composite county score of 31 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Newport News city rank among counties in Virginia?
Newport News city ranks #128 among all counties in Virginia on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Newport News city, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Newport News city is $2,634, with an effective tax rate of 1.01%. This earns Newport News city a tax score of 34.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Newport News city?
The median household income in Newport News city, Virginia is $69,634 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Newport News city earns an income score of 61.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Newport News city, Virginia a good place to live?
Newport News city scores 31/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #128 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Newport News city is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Newport News city with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.