City Comparison

Harrisonburg vs Newport News: How they compare

Harrisonburg is a vibrant college city in the Shenandoah Valley, home to James Madison University. Newport News stretches from the James River to the Chesapeake Bay, anchored by Newport News Shipbuilding, one of the nation's largest industrial employers. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Harrisonburg's median sold price is $353K with homes averaging 15 days on market; Newport News is at $300K and 41 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Harrisonburg is pricier ($353K median vs $300K), a difference of about $53K. Harrisonburg moves faster, with homes averaging 15 days on market compared to 41 in Newport News. Newport News offers a lower entry point at $100K–$700K.

Harrisonburg

VA

Newport News

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$353K

$300K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

15 days

41 days

Price Range

$150K–$600K

$100K–$700K

Notable Neighborhoods

Downtown, Old Town, Massanetta Springs, Stone Spring

Hilton Village, Oyster Point, Denbigh, Kiln Creek

VA

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VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Harrisonburg or Newport News more affordable?

Newport News is more affordable with a median sold price of $300K, compared to $353K in Harrisonburg (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. Harrisonburg prices range from $150K–$600K. Newport News prices range from $100K–$700K.

How do Harrisonburg and Newport News compare?

Harrisonburg is a vibrant college city in the Shenandoah Valley, home to James Madison University. 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 can connect you with a verified agent 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 August 2026.

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Harrisonburg vs Newport News: $353K vs $300K (2026) | smover