CountyScore

Newport News city

Virginia · VA

#121 in Virginia
61.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Newport News city, Virginia

Moderately above national livability baseline

Newport News scores 62.6 out of 100, about 25% higher than the national median of 50.0 but below the strongest performers. The city shows competence in fundamental livability measures with room for improvement.

Below average for Virginia

Newport News scores 62.6 compared to Virginia's state average of 70.3, placing it in the lower half of state livability rankings. The city faces challenges that keep it below peer counties in the region.

Moderate affordability in housing

Newport News maintains a cost score of 63.5 with median home values of $243,300 and rents of $1,285 per month, offering reasonable housing accessibility. The tax score of 73.3 provides additional financial breathing room.

Lower incomes and higher tax burden

Newport News's income score of 26.9 reflects a median household income of $66,718, among the lowest assessed counties. The effective tax rate of 1.030% is also the highest in this group, straining household finances.

Suitable for middle-income families seeking stability

Newport News works best for moderate-income families and military-connected households seeking affordable housing and community stability. The city appeals to those prioritizing proximity to employment and services over maximum livability scores.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax73.3Cost63.5SafetyComing SoonHealth69.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.9Risk27.8WaterComing Soon
🏛73.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠63.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡27.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Newport News city with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Douglas County
Colorado
61.5
Median income: $145,737
Forsyth County
Georgia
61.5
Median income: $138,000
Williamson County
Illinois
61.5
Median income: $65,521
Dimmit County
Texas
61.5
Median income: $33,409
Lamb County
Texas
61.5
Median income: $56,997

Deep Dives

Newport News city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Newport News city

via CostByCounty

Newport News rents strain household budgets

At 23.1%, Newport News's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the Virginia state average (18.6%) by 4.5 percentage points and signals significant affordability stress. The median household income of $66,718 falls $8,037 below the national median, making higher rents ($1,285) particularly burdensome.

Among Virginia's most unaffordable cities

Newport News ranks in Virginia's bottom tier for renter affordability, with a 23.1% rent-to-income ratio that exceeds most state peers. Combined with below-average median income, the city faces genuine affordability challenges that impact renters across all income brackets.

Urban costs without rural bargains

Newport News's $1,285 median rent significantly outpaces nearby Nelson County ($950), Northampton County ($780), and even Middlesex County ($1,071). The city's 23.1% rent-to-income ratio stands markedly worse than nearly every rural and suburban peer in our sample, including neighboring Norfolk at 23.4%.

Housing dominates household spending

Renters spend $1,285 monthly on a median income of $66,718, consuming 23.1% of earnings and leaving limited room for other expenses. Homeowners face an even steeper burden at $1,409 monthly (25.3% of income), suggesting ownership remains out of reach for many households.

Urban convenience comes with cost

Newport News offers urban amenities and diverse employment but demands careful budgeting: renters should expect to dedicate nearly one-quarter of income to housing at $1,285 monthly. Consider more affordable alternatives like Nelson or Northampton counties if housing cost relief is your priority.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Newport News city

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy and health lag national norms

Newport News residents live an average of 74.2 years, nearly 5 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. Nearly 1 in 5 (19.1%) report poor or fair health, a rate that signals serious chronic disease burden in the city.

Among Virginia's most challenged health systems

Newport News's 74.2-year life expectancy trails Virginia's 75.1-year average, and its 19.1% poor/fair health rate is the second-highest in this profile. Though its 7.1% uninsured rate sits below the state average, coverage alone is not addressing underlying health disparities.

Moderate provider access, mixed outcomes

Newport News has 57 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 222 mental health providers per 100,000, both solid by regional standards. Yet despite adequate provider numbers, poor health outcomes suggest barriers beyond access—poverty, chronic disease, or social determinants may drive lower life expectancy.

Coverage exists, but health disparities persist

With a 7.1% uninsured rate below the state average, coverage is not the primary barrier to health in Newport News. High rates of poor or fair health suggest residents face deeper challenges—chronic disease management, substance use, or limited access to preventive care despite insurance.

Verify and strengthen your coverage

If you're uninsured or underinsured in Newport News, healthcare.gov and Virginia Medicaid offer comprehensive options regardless of employment status. Beyond coverage, connect with community health centers and chronic disease programs that address the underlying health needs in your neighborhood.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Newport News city

via RiskByCounty

Newport News faces substantial national risk

With a composite risk score of 72.23, Newport News rates as Relatively Low but ranks among the nation's higher-risk communities for natural disasters. Your city experiences significantly above-average exposure to multiple hazards.

Well above Virginia's typical threat level

Newport News's 72.23 score far exceeds Virginia's average of 33.27—more than double—placing it among the state's most hazardous localities. You face notably elevated natural disaster exposure compared to most Virginia communities.

Most dangerous among analyzed localities

At 72.23, Newport News ranks second only to Norfolk (81.23) among these eight communities, dwarfing all rural counties profiled. Your position as an urban port city creates compounded exposure to coastal and seismic hazards.

Tornado and hurricane dominate threat profile

Tornado risk peaks at 74.08 and hurricane at 88.32—among the nation's highest for urban areas—while earthquake (76.27) and flood (71.44) threats also run elevated. These combined hazards make Newport News one of Virginia's highest-risk locations.

Comprehensive coverage is essential here

Flood and hurricane insurance aren't optional in Newport News—they're critical investments given your city's 71.44 flood and 88.32 hurricane scores. Maintain a tornado safe room or shelter plan, secure roof installation, and verify wind and flood coverage annually with your insurer.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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