Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brockton, MA
VS
Newport News, VA
🏆 Newport News leads 14 of 23 categories
Brockton
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$74,016 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
158⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
104,713
Newport News
Virginia
14
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.
Brockton, MA
Pros
19% less violent crime than Newport News
Households earn $10,661 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $364,700
Violent crime (599.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,446/mo
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Newport News
Newport News, VA
Pros
Homes cost $131k less ($233,400 vs $364,700)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (5.6%)
Rent averages $237/mo less ($1,209 vs $1,446)
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Brockton
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 28.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (736.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Brockton by $10,661/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Brockton
Median Income
$10,661
$74,016 vs $63,355/yr
Brockton
Violent Crime
19% lower
599.2 vs 736.0 per 100k
Newport News
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Newport News
Median Home Value
$131k less
$233,400 vs $364,700
Newport News
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
5.6% vs 8.2% unemployment
Newport News
Summer Heat
4.0°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 84.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Newport News, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $364,700⚠ High | $233,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,446⚠ High | $1,209 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $74,016 ✓ Higher | $63,355 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 23.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 5.5% | 7.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 162⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 158⚠ High ✓ Safer | 194⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 64 ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.6:1 | 12.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.7% | 28.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.8% | 91.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Brockton | Newport News City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.7°F | 49.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.2°F | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.2" ✓ Drier | 51.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 34.3" | 2.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 104,713 | 185,118 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.4 ✓ Older | 34.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% ✓ Higher | 47.6% |
| Under 18 | 25.0% ✓ More | 23.2% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 13.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brockton's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Newport News's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Newport News is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Newport News leads 14 of 23 categories. Brockton wins 9 and Newport News wins 14. 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 Brockton to Newport News or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($364,700 vs $233,400 median home), income ($74,016 vs $63,355), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brockton, MA and Newport News, VA are about 453 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.