Jacksonville, FL, and Newport News, VA, offer very diverse living experiences, from weather differences to diverse occupational opportunities. Jacksonville is characterized by a mild winter and hot summer with numerous occupational opportunities, while Newport News enjoys temperate winters and warm, wet summers and a strong connection to the maritime industry. Both cities offer a wealth of history, cultural events, and opportunities for education, but differ in areas such as transportation, cost of living, and tax rates. Understanding these differences can help people decide which city would best suit their lifestyle and preferences, whether they're looking to relocate or just visiting.
Distance between
Jacksonville, FL and
Newport News, VA : 553.0 miles
Jacksonville's population is larger by 417%. Its population has grown by 218,997 people (29.8%) since 2000. The population of Newport News has grown by 4,437 people (2.5%) during that time.
Safety is a top priority for both residents and tourists. According to the FBI crime data, Jacksonville has a higher crime rate compared to Newport News. Visitors and potential residents should be aware and consider these statistics when planning their travels or prospective move. However, both cities have designated safe neighborhoods that promise a more secure environment and appropriate resources.
Cost of Living
The cost of living is comparatively lower in Jacksonville than in Newport News, considering factors like housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation. Individuals looking for a more economical place to live may find Jacksonville more suitable.
Income Tax
When it comes to income tax, Florida residents enjoy a significant advantage since the state does not levy an income tax. Virginia, on the other hand, imposes a progressive state income tax.
Property Tax
Property taxes are lower in Jacksonville than in Newport News. The exact amount can vary depending on the specific area within the city, but generally, Jacksonville's rate tends to be cheaper.
Sales Tax
The sales tax rate in Jacksonville is lower compared to that in Newport News. In Jacksonville, the combined city and state rate is 7.5% while in Newport News it is 6.0%, but with an additional 2.5% levied by the city.
Income
Type
Jacksonville
Newport News
Estimated median household income
$58,621
$58,937
Estimated per capita income
$32,953
$31,802
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
88.3
95.9
If you make $50,000 in Jacksonville, you will have to make $54,304 in Newport News to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Jacksonville is the largest city by area in the contiguous USA, offering a mix of urban, suburban, and beach living. Newport News, while smaller, features picturesque coastal views, given its location on the Virginia Peninsula.
Education-wise, both cities offer excellent opportunities. Newport News is home to top-rated schools like Christopher Newport University, while Jacksonville houses respected institutions like the University of North Florida and Florida State College. Both cities, therefore, provide numerous educational opportunities for academic advancement.
The job markets in the two cities are significantly different. Jacksonville has a diverse economy with strong sectors in finance, healthcare, logistics, and more. Newport News, on the other hand, is characterized by a more industrial economy, largely dominated by the shipbuilding industry.
Biggest Employers
The largest employers in Jacksonville include Baptist Health, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and Deutsche Bank. In Newport News, Newport News Shipbuilding, Riverside Health System, and Joint Base Langley-Eustis are among the top employers.
There were 1,310 building permits issued in Jacksonville in 2012 (353 more than in 2011) compared to 106 building permits issued in Newport News in 2012 (40 less than in 2011).
In Jacksonville (Duval County), 47.9% voted for Democrats and 51.5% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Newport News (Newport News city), 64.7% voted for Democrats and 34.5% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Jacksonville
Newport News
Jacksonville
Newport News
Jacksonville
Newport News
2020
51.3%
65.4%
47.5%
32.5%
1.2%
2.1%
2016
47.2%
60.3%
48.6%
33.7%
4.2%
6.0%
2012
47.9%
64.7%
51.5%
34.5%
0.6%
0.9%
2008
49.0%
64.5%
51.0%
35.6%
0.0%
0.0%
2004
41.7%
52.2%
57.9%
47.6%
0.3%
0.3%
2000
40.9%
51.6%
57.7%
46.8%
1.4%
1.6%
1996
44.2%
51.0%
50.0%
42.5%
5.8%
6.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Jacksonville
Newport News
Jacksonville
Newport News
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
15.8%
7.1%
22.3%
19.5%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
9.0%
5.0%
2.8%
1.8%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.2%
1.0%
2.3%
3.0%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
1.9%
0.6%
0.6%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.3%
0.9%
1.2%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.3%
0.3%
0.7%
0.6%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.5%
1.4%
1.8%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.1%
2.4%
0.2%
3.0%
Weather
Jacksonville offers a subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild, cooler winters, while Newport News experiences a more temperate climate with warm, wet summers and chillier winters. Weather can significantly influence living conditions, activities, and attractions in both cities, so prospective visitors and residents should consider what type of climate they'd prefer.
Weather and climate
Type
Jacksonville
Newport News
Temperature - Average
68.3°F
59.2°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
78.4%
73%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
44%
32.1%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
92%
83.1%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
50.9%
Precipitation - Yearly average
51.8 in
47.8 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
15.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.8%
17.6%
Sunshine amount - Average
69.6%
66.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
16%
14%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
67%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
58%
53%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
10.3 mph
Average climate in Jacksonville, Florida
Average climate in Newport News, Virginia
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM25
SO2
Year
Jacksonville
Newport News
Jacksonville
Newport News
Newport News
Jacksonville
Newport News
Jacksonville
Newport News
Jacksonville
Newport News
Jacksonville
Newport News
2018
78
57
N/A
0.19
3.7
N/A
24.5
32.5
N/A
0.002
7.1
6.1
N/A
0.6
2017
74
60
N/A
0.19
3.9
N/A
24.7
33.8
N/A
0.002
5.8
6.9
0.7
0.4
2016
65
66
0.50
0.18
3.7
N/A
24.9
32.7
N/A
0.002
5.2
6.1
0.4
0.6
2015
63
57
0.35
0.28
4.2
N/A
25.4
34.7
N/A
0.002
4.9
6.4
0.3
0.7
2014
66
59
0.27
0.25
4.3
N/A
24.3
34.5
N/A
0.002
5.9
6.8
0.7
1.0
2013
68
66
0.18
0.30
4.3
N/A
23.0
32.1
N/A
0.002
5.3
6.8
0.7
1.1
2012
66
76
0.10
0.26
5.4
N/A
24.0
35.8
N/A
0.002
5.8
8.1
0.6
1.0
2011
88
66
0.28
0.29
5.7
N/A
26.6
36.2
N/A
0.003
8.1
8.8
0.8
1.5
2010
77
80
0.31
0.14
6.6
N/A
26.4
39.3
N/A
0.004
7.1
N/A
0.8
2.3
2009
72
54
0.16
0.18
9.8
N/A
25.0
31.5
N/A
0.012
8.5
N/A
0.6
2.0
2008
75
77
0.15
0.21
10.3
N/A
27.6
36.2
N/A
0.004
10.0
N/A
0.9
3.1
2007
92
81
0.29
0.22
12.2
N/A
28.4
35.6
N/A
0.004
11.4
N/A
1.2
3.6
2006
87
62
0.35
0.30
N/A
N/A
29.0
35.1
N/A
0.004
10.8
N/A
1.4
3.5
2005
93
67
0.42
0.28
N/A
N/A
26.5
34.8
N/A
N/A
12.2
N/A
1.8
3.2
2004
92
80
0.40
0.31
15.9
N/A
25.2
32.9
N/A
N/A
12.4
N/A
1.4
3.8
2003
55
84
0.43
0.38
16.2
N/A
21.6
33.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
3.1
2002
59
99
0.49
0.38
17.8
N/A
22.2
37.6
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
3.7
2001
74
92
0.49
0.43
18.2
N/A
24.0
35.5
0.009
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.5
4.3
2000
85
85
0.52
0.48
15.7
N/A
25.1
35.6
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.0
5.2
Natural disasters
Type
Jacksonville
Newport News
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
75.2%
77.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
18.1%
38.4%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
24%
0%
Transportation
Unlike Jacksonville, which has a well-established public transit system including buses, skyway, and ferry service, Newport News’s public transportation options are more limited, being primarily serviced by bus transit.
Transport
Type
Jacksonville
Newport News
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
566
140
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
34
3
Means of transportation to work
Type
Jacksonville
Newport News
Bicycle
0.2%
0.2%
Bus
1.1%
1.6%
Carpooled
9%
8.8%
Car alone
86.5%
84.2%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.2%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.2%
Walked
1.2%
3%
Average travel time to work
Type
Jacksonville
Newport News
Average
27.5 min
25.3 min
Other means
25 min
23.5 min
Public transportation
43.7 min
37.8 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Jacksonville
Newport News
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
89.4%
90.5%
In 2 person carpool
8%
7.5%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
0.9%
In 4 person carpool
0.7%
0.8%
In 5-6 person carpool
0%
0.2%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
When it comes to real estate, the median home cost in Jacksonville is significantly lower than in Newport News. However, renters may find prices more comparable between the two cities.
Neighborhoods
The neighborhoods in both cities offer diverse living experiences. Jacksonville includes upscale areas like San Marco and Riverside, while Newport News boasts historic neighborhoods such as Hilton Village and Port Warwick.
Houses and residents
Type
Jacksonville
Newport News
Houses
422,315
81,913
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.5
Median year apartment built
1985
1980
Median year house/condo built
1987
1975
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.5 years
13.5 years
Houses occupied
386,283 (91.5%)
77,489 (94.6%)
Houses occupied by owners
226,429 (58.6%)
36,527 (47.1%)
Houses occupied by renters
159,854 (41.4%)
40,962 (52.9%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,444
$590.70
Median monthly housing costs
$1,154
$1,162
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$260,045
$120,982
Estimated median house or condo value
$239,400
$227,200
Median numbers of rooms
5.6
5.4
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.3
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.7
Median house price - detached houses
$282,276
$267,334
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$177,341
$380,372
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$144,947
$169,768
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$220,508
$127,673
Median house price - mobile homes
$87,589
$31,513
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$213,709
$194,043
Median house price - All housing units
$266,926
$247,907
Median house age
36
43
Renting percentage
38.3%
48.9%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
557.4
1,199.4
House value disparities
33.2%
28.7%
Household income disparities
44.2%
42.3%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$83,160
$88,971
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$59,777
$56,811
Housing units without a mortgage
2,439 (1.6%)
874 (3.2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
8,460 (5.5%)
2,248 (8.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
150,468 (98.4%)
26,453 (96.8%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
255 (0.2%)
0 (0%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
11,378 (7.4%)
3,277 (12%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
13
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
1%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.4%
1.6%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Jacksonville
Newport News
One, detached
59.4%
49.0%
One, attached
6.1%
9.2%
Two
2.1%
0.9%
3 or 4
5.3%
6.9%
5 to 9
5.0%
12.2%
10 to 19
7.9%
10.5%
20 to 49
4.9%
2.8%
50 or more
5.3%
6.1%
Mobile homes
3.8%
2.3%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.2%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
19,601
2,334
State government workers
13,692
2,440
Unpaid family workers
1,066
36
Industries and Occupations
In Jacksonville, the dominant industries include finance, healthcare, logistics, and tourism, providing a range of job opportunities for residents. Newport News is more defined by its shipbuilding and military industries, so residents in this city may find more opportunities in these fields.
Both cities boast top-rated hospitals and medical centers. Jacksonville is home to the Mayo Clinic, while Newport News offers the Riverside Regional Medical Center, contributing to the livability of both cities.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Jacksonville
Newport News
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Jacksonville boasts impressive infrastructure, with expansive expressway systems and significant port facilities. Newport News also offers comprehensive infrastructural resources, although given its smaller size, it's less expansive than Jacksonville’s.
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Jacksonville
Newport News
1999
5,422
0
2000
4,132
0
2001
3,038
0
2002
2,017
0
2003
3,563
347
2004
4,781
566
2005
7,134
738
2006
8,812
730
2007
5,298
472
2008
1,719
128
2009
676
38
Culture and Food
Culturally, Jacksonville is known for its vibrant music scene and delicious seafood, while Newport News offers a rich history with its museums and hearty Virginian cuisine.
Sports Teams
In terms of sports, Jacksonville is the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL) and the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (AA Baseball). Newport News does not have major sports teams but does enjoy proximity to teams in nearby cities, including the Norfolk Tides (AAA Baseball).
Jacksonville, FL
Newport News, VA
Jacksonville, FL and 
Newport News, VA : 553.0 miles
