Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Jackson, MS
VS
Newport News, VA
🏆 Jackson leads 10 of 17 categories
Jackson
Mississippi
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$42,193
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
153,271
Newport News
Virginia
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
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.
Jackson, MS
Pros
Homes cost $129k less ($104,900 vs $233,400)
Rent averages $229/mo less ($980 vs $1,209)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.7)
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 49°F
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Newport News
Cons
Median income trails Newport News by $21,162/yr
Higher unemployment (9.3% vs 5.6%)
Newport News, VA
Pros
Households earn $21,162 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.7 pts lower (5.6%)
Cons
Violent crime (736.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Jackson
Key Differences at a Glance
Jackson
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 90.7 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Jackson
Median Home Value
$129k less
$104,900 vs $233,400
Jackson
Summer Heat
3.9°F warmer
July avg high 92.1°F vs 88.2°F
Newport News
Median Income
$21,162
$63,355 vs $42,193/yr
Newport News
Unemployment
3.7 pp lower
5.6% vs 9.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Newport News, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.7 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $104,900 ✓ Lower | $233,400 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $980 ✓ Lower | $1,209 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $42,193 | $63,355 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.3%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.3 min ✓ Shorter | 23.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.2% | 7.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | — | 162⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 194⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 115⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 | 12.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 28.7% |
| High School or Higher | 87.3% | 91.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jackson Public Schools | Newport News City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.4°F ✓ Warmer | 49.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.1°F ✓ Warmer | 88.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.3" | 51.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.0" ✓ Less | 2.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 153,271 | 185,118 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.9% ✓ Higher | 47.6% |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 23.2% |
| Over 65 | 14.3% ✓ More | 13.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Jackson's cost of living index is 90.7 vs Newport News's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Jackson is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 17 decided categories above, Jackson leads 10 of 17 categories. Jackson wins 10 and Newport News wins 7. 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 Jackson to Newport News or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($104,900 vs $233,400 median home), income ($42,193 vs $63,355), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Jackson, MS and Newport News, VA are about 843 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.