Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Newport News, VA
🏆 Newport News leads 12 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Newport News
Virginia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,355
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
185,118 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
59% less violent crime than Newport News
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $15,191 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (3.7%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Newport News, VA
Pros
Homes cost $183k less ($233,400 vs $416,500)
Rent averages $263/mo less ($1,209 vs $1,472)
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 32°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (736.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $15,191/yr
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$15,191
$78,546 vs $63,355/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
59% lower
302.5 vs 736.0 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.6% unemployment
Newport News
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Newport News
Median Home Value
$183k less
$233,400 vs $416,500
Newport News
Summer Heat
4.2°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Newport News, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $233,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $1,209 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $63,355 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 23.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 7.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 162⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 194⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B+ (105) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 12.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 28.7% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 91.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Newport News City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 49.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 51.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 2.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 185,118 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 34.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 47.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 23.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 13.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Newport News's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Newport News is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Newport News leads 12 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 11 and Newport News wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Ann Arbor to Newport News or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $233,400 median home), income ($78,546 vs $63,355), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Newport News, VA are about 525 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.