Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elizabeth, NJ
VS
Newport News, VA
🏆 Newport News leads 18 of 23 categories
Elizabeth
New Jersey
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,939
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,665
Newport News
Virginia
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,355 ✓ Higher
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.
Elizabeth, NJ
Pros
44% less violent crime than Newport News
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $358,400
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Newport News
Higher rents — median is $1,390/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Newport News, VA
Pros
Homes cost $125k less ($233,400 vs $358,400)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Elizabeth
Rent averages $181/mo less ($1,209 vs $1,390)
More college-educated — 28.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 40°F
Cons
Violent crime (736.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Elizabeth
Violent Crime
44% lower
408.7 vs 736.0 per 100k
Newport News
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Newport News
Median Income
$3,416
$63,355 vs $59,939/yr
Newport News
Median Home Value
$125k less
$233,400 vs $358,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Newport News, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $358,400⚠ High | $233,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,390⚠ High | $1,209 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,939 | $63,355 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 23.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.8% | 7.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 162⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer | 194⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (91) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 | 12.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 14.1% | 28.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.3% | 91.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elizabeth Public Schools | Newport News City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 40.0°F | 49.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.6" ✓ Drier | 51.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 31.5" | 2.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 135,665 | 185,118 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.7 ✓ Older | 34.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.1% | 47.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.4% ✓ More | 23.2% |
| Over 65 | 11.4% | 13.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elizabeth's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Newport News's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Newport News is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Newport News leads 18 of 23 categories. Elizabeth wins 5 and Newport News wins 18. 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 Elizabeth to Newport News or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($358,400 vs $233,400 median home), income ($59,939 vs $63,355), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elizabeth, NJ and Newport News, VA are about 278 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.