Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Newport News, VA
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 12 of 23 categories
Newport News
Virginia
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$63,355 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
185,118 ✓ Larger
Topeka
Kansas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,052
Violent Crime Index
225⚠ High
Population
126,431
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Newport News, VA
Pros
14% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $9,303 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 40°F
Cons
Violent crime (736.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Topeka
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $109k less ($124,700 vs $233,400)
Rent averages $283/mo less ($926 vs $1,209)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (5.0%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Newport News
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
Cons
Violent crime (856.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Newport News by $9,303/yr
Property crime (3642.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Newport News
Median Income
$9,303
$63,355 vs $54,052/yr
Newport News
Violent Crime
14% lower
736.0 vs 856.5 per 100k
Topeka
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$109k less
$124,700 vs $233,400
Topeka
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
5.0% vs 5.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Newport News, VA | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $233,400 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,209 | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,355 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.4 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.5% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 162⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.5:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% ✓ Higher | 28.5% |
| High School or Higher | 91.7% ✓ Higher | 91.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Newport News City Public Schools | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 49.0°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F | 88.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.3" | 37.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 185,118 ✓ Larger | 126,431 |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 13.4% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Newport News's cost of living index is 97.4 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 12 of 23 categories. Newport News wins 11 and Topeka 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 Newport News to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($233,400 vs $124,700 median home), income ($63,355 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Newport News, VA and Topeka, KS are about 1,050 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.