City Comparison

Arlington vs Newport News: How they compare

Arlington offers urban energy with a neighborhood feel. Newport News stretches from the James River to the Chesapeake Bay, anchored by Newport News Shipbuilding, one of the nation's largest industrial employers. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Arlington's median sold price is $727K with homes averaging 38 days on market; Newport News is at $300K and 41 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Arlington is pricier ($727K median vs $300K), a difference of about $427K. Arlington moves faster, with homes averaging 38 days on market compared to 41 in Newport News. Newport News offers a lower entry point at $100K–$700K.

Arlington

VA

Newport News

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$727K

$300K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

38 days

41 days

Price Range

$350K–$2.5M

$100K–$700K

Notable Neighborhoods

Ballston, Clarendon, Crystal City, Pentagon City

Hilton Village, Oyster Point, Denbigh, Kiln Creek

VA

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VA

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Related Comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arlington or Newport News more affordable?

Newport News is more affordable with a median sold price of $300K, compared to $727K in Arlington (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Arlington prices range from $350K–$2.5M. Newport News prices range from $100K–$700K.

How do Arlington and Newport News compare?

Arlington offers urban energy with a neighborhood feel. Newport News stretches from the James River to the Chesapeake Bay, anchored by Newport News Shipbuilding, one of the nation's largest industrial employers. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover lets you compare agent profiles and available transaction records in either city.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026. School data from Virginia DOE, Maryland MSDE, and DC OSSE public reports. Property tax rates from Virginia Dept. of Taxation (2024). Walkability scores from Walk Score (2024). Crime data from FBI UCR and Virginia State Police (2023). Commute times are approximate rush-hour estimates. Updated September 2026.

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