Chicago
Illinois
Pop. 2,721,914
VS
Newport News
Virginia
Pop. 185,118

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

63
Overall Score /100
Wins 0 of 7 categories
72
Overall Score /100
Wins 4 of 7 categories
Newport News wins 4–0
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Newport News wins 0–4 overall (72/100)
💰 Newport News is more affordable
💼 Newport News has lower unemployment
🛡️ Chicago has fewer disasters

📋 Chicago vs Newport News — The Verdict

Newport News scores 72.5/100 compared to Chicago's 63/100, winning 4 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Newport News has a clear edge with home prices 23% lower. Newport News may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Newport News are 23% lower — a difference of $71,100 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Newport News saves you $105/month — that's $1,260 per year.
💵
Households in Chicago earn $8,318 more per year (13% higher median income).
📊
Newport News has a 1.0 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
💰 Chicago vs Newport News: Cost of Living Comparison
65
vs
80
Median Home Value
$304,500
$233,400
Median Rent /mo
$1,314
$1,209
Median Income
$71,673
$63,355
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Newport News offers home prices 23% lower than Chicago, translating to $71,100 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Chicago vs Newport News: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
70
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
3.6%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Both cities offer competitive employment, with Newport News having a slight edge at 3.6% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
🌡️ Chicago vs Newport News: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Chicago vs Newport News: Air Quality & Environment
70
vs
85
Air Quality (AQI)
60
0
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Chicago vs Newport News: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Chicago vs Newport News: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
10
11
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
High
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.

❓ Moving from Chicago to Newport News: Common Questions

Is Chicago or Newport News cheaper to live in?
Newport News is more affordable overall. Home prices are $71,100 lower in Newport News. Monthly rent is $1,209 in Newport News vs $1,314 in Chicago.
Does Chicago or Newport News have better weather?
Newport News scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Chicago or Newport News better for finding a job?
Newport News currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.6% in Chicago vs 3.6% in Newport News. Median household income is $71,673 in Chicago and $63,355 in Newport News.
Which city is safer — Chicago or Newport News?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Chicago is safer. Chicago has had 10 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 11 in Newport News. Chicago scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Newport News.
Should I move from Chicago to Newport News?
Based on our data, Newport News scores 72.5/100 vs Chicago's 63.0/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Newport News is more affordable, while Newport News has a better climate.

Planning to move from Chicago to Newport News?

Compare quotes from top-rated moving companies and save up to 40%

Get Free Moving Quotes →

🔗 Related Comparisons

More cities in Illinois → More cities in Virginia →

📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.