Situated on the James River in Virginia’s Tidewater Region, Newport News is steeped in Colonial and Civil War history. Newport News, the fifth-most populous city in the state, has a diverse population totaling more than 183,000 residents. Along with over 30 parks and an expansive shoreline, the city boasts museums, collegiate sporting events and a wide range of eateries and entertainment venues. Newport News has a humid, subtropical climate that produces summer highs in the 90s and winter lows that hover near freezing. The city has almost 2,700 hours of annual sunshine. The booming economy and quality of life in the area draw young professionals, families and retirees.
The Newport News Shipbuilding facility and Joint Base Langley-Eustis support the local economy. In addition to defense-related careers, residents are employed in the education, maritime, transportation and high-tech research and development industries. Newport News has a cost of living slightly below the national average. Most of the difference is attributed to housing, food and transportation. The award-winning Newport News public school system has several highly ranked elementary schools. The College of William and Mary, Hampton University and Christopher Newport University are located nearby.
Regardless of where you are moving from, Newport News has something for everyone. Along with an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities, residents enjoy a vibrant cultural scene. Points of interest include the world-renowned Mariners’ Museum, the Virginia War Museum and the U.S. Army Transportation Museum. The Peninsula Fine Arts Center houses a gallery featuring work that focuses on a variety of artists, media and styles. The Ferguson Center for the Arts offers theatrical and concert performances. The Virginia Living Museum is a combination wildlife park, science center, aquarium and planetarium.
Newport News offers residents a wide selection of housing options. The city features Colonial Revival- and traditional ranch-style single-family homes as well as modern apartment and townhome communities boasting a variety of amenities. While home prices average near $172,000, the rent for a two-bedroom unit is slightly below $1,000 per month. The city is evenly split between renters and homeowners at 52 and 48 percent respectively.
With an abundance of great neighborhoods like Hilton Village, Kiln Creek and Hidenwood, you may feel overwhelmed when searching for the ideal spot to settle down. We provide picks for the best places to live in Newport News. You can also personalize your search using criteria like home or rental prices or other factors, such as nearby amenities, schools and proximity to employment centers. Our goal is to help you find the right place that fits your lifestyle and budget.