newport_news
Photo Credit: Pixabay

We all agree that Newport News, Virginia is a great place to call your new home.

But why?

A sought-after moving location, the city on the tip of the Virginia Peninsula in the southeastern part of the state is amazingly brilliant, packed with unlimited opportunities for jobs and entertainment. With no shortage of amenities and excitement, you will never regret the decision to call it your home.

And for those who still have doubts about Newport News; our expert team has got all the relevant information that will help you decide whether to pack the bags.

We cover affordability, education, crime, taxes, jobs, healthcare, and every other information you will need to know about Newport News, the fifth-most-populous city in Virginia.  

So without wasting much time, let’s dive into Newport News details.

QuickFacts

Quick facts to know before you move to Newport News

  • The city was established in 1621, making it one of the oldest towns in Virginia State.
  • Newport News is the fifth most populous city in Virginia.
  • It is a major ship-making hub in the country.
  • It is easier to live here on a small budget.
  • The city’s economy is diverse and robust.
  • The people are highly friendly here.
  • The climate is humid and subtropical.
  • Safety is a major concern in the city.
  • There is diversity in the population.
  • The city has a thriving business community.

Top 10 things to know before moving to Newport News

Newport News is home to the largest shipbuilding and repair facility in the US, transforming it into a city with a strong economy and community.

When you’re serious about packing your bags for the city, you may also be keen to know some facts about Newport News. Here are 10 things you need to know about the city before you move here:

  • Defense is a major job provider in the city.
  • The public transport system is robust here.
  • The cost of living is lower than the national average.
  • Newport News has a diverse economy.
  • The crime rate is higher than the US average.
  • Newport News has a thriving arts and culture scene.
  • There is no shortage of outdoor entertainment.
  • The state ranks high in education.
  • Seafood in Newport News is popular.

Is it expensive to live in Newport News?

One of the major pluses of living in Newport News is the low cost of living. You can comfortably live here at a cost 8.5% lower than the US average. Similarly, the cost of living in Newport News is also 12.2% lower than the state average. This means housing, food, childcare, and miscellaneous expenses are all lower than the national average here. If you are relocating here with your family, you can have a good life within a decent budget.

Is Newport News a good place to live?

If you aspire to relocate to somewhere amazingly pretty and is also home to many businesses, there is no place like Newport News in Virginia. A strong and robust economy that is diverse promises good jobs and even the climate is humid and subtropical. In addition, the plenty of outdoor areas also give opportunities to spend time outdoors in the summers.

What's the population of Newport News, VA?

As of 2020, Newport News has 185,609 residents, and the density is 2,591 persons per square mile. The population is diverse when it comes to race and the city’s median age is 33.9.

To know the population better, here are a few stats:

  • Newport News’ total population is 185,609.
  • The population is made up of 50.5% males and 51.5% females.
  • The median age in Newport News is 33.9.
  • The city population is made up of 44.4% White, 39.8% Black or African American, 3.1% Asian, 0.2% Native American, and 3.7% from two or more races.
  • About 8.6% of the population is of Hispanic ethnicity.
  • The median household size in Newport News is 2.5 persons.
  • About 44.4% of the residents are married couples living together.
  • On average, 24.3% of the residents are single and have children.

How fast can you commute to Newport News, VA?

Moving to Newport News, daily commuting to the office will be easier and faster, easing your life. You will spend much less time on the road than in the current city as the average one-way commute in Newport News takes 23.0 minutes, which is shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.

If you are keen to know how the city residents reach the office regularly in Newport News, here are the latest stats:

  • About 79.1% drive their car alone.
  • About 9.3% carpool with others.
  • About 2.1% work from home.
  • Approximately 3.4% take mass transit.

Tip: While moving your home, the safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Newport News, VA.

What is the weather like in Newport News, VA?

Newport News has a humid subtropical climate which contributes to cool to mild winters and hot humid summers. In summer, the city experiences thunderstorms, which can bring heavy rain and occasional flooding. Snowfall is rare in the area, usually occurring only a few times each year.

Here are a few Newport News weather facts:

  • The city receives about 46 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year.
  • Newport News averages 5 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
  • On average, the city gets about 215 sunny days per year against the US average of 205 sunny days.
  • The city receives some kind of precipitation, on average, 113 days per year in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
move to Newport News

Top reasons to move to Newport News, Virginia

Moving to Newport News has its own share of positives. And to give you an idea, we have filtered out 4 reasons.

We’ve listed the top reasons people are moving to Newport News, to give you an idea of what to expect:

  • More affordability
  • Low cost of living
  • Friendly people
  • Safety
pros and cons of Newport News

Pros & Cons of Moving to Newport News

Before you make up your mind to pack the bags for Newport News, it is good to have an idea about the best and worst of the city. And for that, we’ve got the best and worst of the city. Gauge both before you take the final call.

Here are a few pros and cons of moving to Newport News:

Pros of living in Newport News
  • Diverse population
  • Low risk of natural disasters
  • Low cost of living
  • Friendly community
  • Low crime rate
Cons of living in Newport News
  • High poverty rate
  • Extreme climate

Best neighborhoods near Newport News

When you are in the final process of relocating to Newport News, your major concern will be to find a house in a decent neighborhood. This becomes more crucial when you are relocating with the family. Fortunately, the city has many decent neighborhoods, and our team of experts has got a list of 10 best ones out of them.

Rank Neighborhood Home Rental Home Value
1 Sanford/Riverview $2,780 $457,070
2 Hidenwood $3,331 $443,038
3 Watkins/South Morrison $2,660 $442,433
4 Boxley Hills $2,652 $429,454
5 Deep Creek $1,966 $428,589
6 Oyster Point $1,875 $426,736
7 Central Newport News North $2,468 $413,892
8 Kiln Creek $2,708 $401,614
9 Deer Park South $1,921 $387,303
10 Warwick $2,021 $370,361

Tip: When you’ve got a home to move to in Newport News, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving costs.

Cost of living in Newport News

One of the best things about relocating to Newport News is the affordability. Moving here, you save your dollars as the cost of living here is much lower than the US average. This means you could own or rent a home, buy groceries, commute on public transport, or avail healthcare facilities without burning the wallet.

Here is a break-up of the cost of living in Newport News.

Living Expense Newport News Virginia National Average
Overall 91.5 104.2 100
Grocery 96.5 99.6 100
Health 101.5 103.1 100
Housing 74.9 112.9 100
Median home cost $256,900 $343,200 $338,100
Utilities 98.3 99.3 100
Transportation 97.0 99.4 100
Miscellaneous 107.3 113.7 100

How is the job market in Newport News, Virginia?

Newport News has a steady economy that is robust and diverse. If your purpose for moving here is jobs, it is easier to find one. Newport News has a steady job market, which is expected to further grow in the coming years. Military, technology, retail, and education are the most prominent sectors here.

And we’ve got a few job-related facts in Newport News, which may benefit you:

  • The job growth in Newport News has been negative.
  • The unemployment rate here is 7.2%.
  • Jobs have decreased by 5.8% over the past year.
  • Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 31.6%.
  • The average salary in Newport News is $57,463.
  • The median household income of a Newport News resident is $97,400 a year.

The following table shows a breakdown of Newport News’s job market:

Employment Information Newport News, Virginia United States
The income per Cap $33,082 $37,638
Household Income $57,463 $69,021
Unemployment Rate 7.2% 6.0%
Recent Job Growth -5.8% -6.18%
Future Job Growth 31.6% 33.51%

Start Your Moving Quote Now!

Compare up to 6 Moving Quotes and save up to 65% on Your Move.

START MY QUOTE

Fastest growing jobs in Newport News, VA

Moving to Newport News, having an idea about the fastest growing jobs in the city will help you. The following are the top ten fastest-growing jobs in the city.

Rank Job Title Average Salary Openings in 2023
1 Healthcare Social Worker $53,561 300
2 Data Scientist $85,000 250
3 Medical Assistant $38,500 210
4 Software Developer $76,000 200
5 Construction Manager $85,500 180
6 Operations Manager $78,000 150
7 IT Specialist $65,000 140
8 Sales Manager $70,000 130
9 Logistician $65,500 120
10 Cybersecurity Analyst $90,000 100

Top career options in Newport News, Virginia

Curious about who gets the fatter paychecks in Newport News, VA? Here’s a list of the top earners:

Rank Job Title Average Salary Entry Level Salary
1 Chief Executive Officer $210,000 $150,000
2 Airline Pilot $175,000 $120,000
3 Orthopedic Surgeon $205,000 $130,000
4 Pharmacist $120,000 $80,000
5 Software Engineer $105,000 $70,000
6 Information Technology Manager $140,000 $90,000
7 Marketing Director $130,000 $85,000
8 Financial Analyst $90,000 $60,000
9 Product Manager $110,000 $75,000
10 Mechanical Engineer $95,000 $65,000

Best companies to work for if you’re moving to Newport News, VA

Finding a good company to work for is always challenging. The following are the best companies to work for in Newport News, Virginia:

  • Huntington Ingalls Industries
  • Sentara Healthcare
  • Christopher Newport University
  • Newport News Shipbuilding
  • Virginia Natural Gas
  • Walmart
  • Food Lion
  • Walgreens
  • Bon Secours Health System
  • Old Dominion University

How is the housing market in Newport News, Virginia?

The city has a strong housing market, but fortunately, the home costs are much lower than the US average. An average house here costs $256,900. However, the house costs are increasing and are expected to further shoot up in the coming years. Home appreciation in the last 10 years has been 50.6%, and it is expected to further go up in the coming years. This means a house is a good source of investment.

  • Newport News’ median home cost is $256,900.
  • The median age of Newport News real estate is 40 years old.
  • The city’s home appreciation in the last 10 years has been 50.6%.
  • Renters make up 44.3% of the Newport News population.
  • About 3.6% of houses and apartments in Newport News are available to rent.

Average rental prices in Newport News, Virginia

Your initial days in the city will be at rented homes, and knowing that the home rentals in the city are highly pocket-friendly will give you a reason to smile. The houses in the city are available for rent lower than any nearby city. We’ve researched the average home rental in the city, and the details may help you.

  • Newport News’ average rent for a studio apartment is $1,050.
  • Newport News’ average rent for a 1-bedroom home or apartment is $1,060.
  • Newport News’ average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $1,240.
  • Newport News’ average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $1,740.
  • Newport News’ average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is $2,120.

What are taxes like in Newport News?

In Newport News, your take-home salary is greatly based on the taxes deducted. When the authorities levy hefty taxes, your income should also be good to have a good living. Knowing the tax structure in Newport News is a good idea.

Here are a few tax-related facts in Newport News.

  • The sales tax rate for Newport News is 6.0%. The US average is 7.3%.
  • The income tax rate for Newport News is 5.8%. The US average is 4.6%.
  • The average property tax rate in Newport News is 0.75%.

What are the best things to do in Newport News, VA?

 

Newport News is extremely pretty, and moving here is an easy way to explore the best in life. The entertainment here is not just limited to exploring the unlimited outdoor options but also learning the rich past through indoor museums and ancient heritage spots.

  • Explore the Destruction Room
  • Stroll at the Ruins of Presidents Park
  • Take a walk at Mariner’s Museum and Park
  • Have some of the best seafood at one of the many restaurants
  • Visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum
  • Take a balloon ride
  • Walk through the farmer’s market
  • Watch a match at Hampton Roads Iceplex
  • Sail through the sea for some time
  • Visit Bel Laurel Farm

How safe is Newport News, Virginia?

If safety is a major factor in determining your moving destination, Newport News is perfect to call your home as it ranks high in the safety index. The violent crime rate is 20.3, and the property crime rate is 44.3. Newport News is safer than 11% of the US cities, and about 58% of the residents feel completely safe here.

  • The violent crime rate in Newport News is 20.3, while the US average is 22.7.
  • The city’s property crime rate is 44.3, while the US average is 35.4.
  • Your chance of being a victim of violent crime here is 1 in 164.
  • Your chance of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 44 in Newport News.
  • About 58% of the city population feels safe in the city.

Tip: Often, you feel like calculating the moving cost before you connect with a moving company. To help you, we've got a free moving cost calculator.

Best Schools & Universities in Newport News, VA

Whether you're still schooling or have school age kids or not, if you're moving to Newport News, VA, you'd most likely be interested in the best schools in the area. Here we've made a list of the best elementary, middle, high schools, and colleges in Newport News. Check out the list below:

Contact Info

MoverJunction.com
20130 Lakeview Center Plaza
Ashburn, VA 20147

888-901-4841

mobile-with-hand