City guide 7 of 7 · Peninsula
Moving to Newport News, VA: the honest guide
A long, narrow city along the James River, home to Newport News Shipbuilding, the region's largest industrial employer. Older neighborhoods to the south near the shipyard, City Center and Port Warwick in the middle, and more suburban Denbigh and Kiln Creek to the north.
By Jason Edwards, REALTOR® · Updated Oct. 10, 2026
Redfin, three months ending Aug. 2026 (checked Oct. 10, 2026); City of Chesapeake FY 2027 Local Tax Comparisons.
Overview: how Newport News is laid out
Newport News is long and narrow, running up the James River. The south end, near Newport News Shipbuilding, has the older neighborhoods and downtown. City Center and Port Warwick are in the middle. Denbigh and Kiln Creek are up north and more suburban. North end to south end is a drive in itself.
By the numbers
- Population: 183,056 (2024 estimate)
- Density: about 2,700 people per square mile (2020 census)
- Side of the water: Peninsula
- Official city site: www.nnva.gov
Census figures as reported in the City of Chesapeake FY 2027 Local Tax Comparisons.
Bases and job centers nearby
- Joint Base Langley-Eustis (Fort Eustis)
- Newport News Shipbuilding
- Naval Weapons Station Yorktown (York County)
Homes and prices in Newport News
What you'll see: Early-1900s homes in Hilton Village, mid-century homes in the central and southern parts of the city, newer planned communities and townhomes in the middle and north end, and condos around City Center.
| Market measure | Newport News |
|---|---|
| Median sale price | $320,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | +4.9% |
| Median price per square foot | $196 |
| Median days on market | 28 |
| Regional median (REIN, August 2026) | $388,950 |
Source: Redfin Newport News housing market, 3 months ending Aug 2026, all home types (checked Oct. 10, 2026). Regional: REIN MLS 'August Takeaway' report, published Sept 10, 2026.
How to read the median
It's the middle sale across every type of home, so a city with more condos and townhomes shows a lower number, and one with more acreage or waterfront shows a higher one. Use it to compare cities, not to set your budget. Your budget comes from your lender and your full monthly number.
Newport News real estate tax and car tax
| Tax or fee (FY 2027) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Real estate taxDue June 5 and Dec 5 | $1.18 per $100 |
| Example: $378,400 assessed home | about $4,465 / yr |
| Car tax (personal property)Due Two halves: June 5 and Dec 5 | $4.50 per $100 |
| Vehicle license feeBilled with the car tax | $26 / yr |
| Trash (solid waste) fee | $31.72 / mo |
| Stormwater fee | $12.25 / mo |
| Meals tax | 7.5% |
| Sales tax4.3% state + 1.0% local + 0.7% Hampton Roads regional (transportation) | 6.0% |
Source: City of Chesapeake, FY 2027 Local Tax Comparisons (seven Hampton Roads cities), covering Fiscal year July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 (checked Oct. 10, 2026). The $378,400 example is the median assessed value of a Chesapeake single-family home used in that report. Due dates from the city treasurer's site, checked Oct. 2026; a weekend or holiday date usually moves to the next business day.
Real talk: the car tax
This is the one that surprises people from other states. Every car gets a bill every year, and it isn't in your mortgage escrow. Virginia's PPTRA lowers the rate on the first $20,000 of value for qualifying personal-use vehicles. If you're active duty with a legal residence in another state, you're generally exempt under the SCRA. Bring your LES to the Commissioner of the Revenue when you arrive.
Commutes from Newport News to bases and job centers
Close to Newport News Shipbuilding, Fort Eustis and Langley. The Southside means the MMMBT (I-664) or HRBT (I-64), both free; I-64 toward Williamsburg and Richmond is being widened.
No-traffic estimates from City Center (a reference point in each area), rounded to the nearest 5 minutes. Treat these as the best case.
| To | From City Center |
|---|---|
| Naval Station Norfolk | 30 min · 19.4 mi |
| NAS Oceana | 60 min · 39.6 mi |
| Norfolk Naval Shipyard | 45 min · 27.5 mi |
| JEB Little Creek-Fort Story | 40 min · 24.4 mi |
| JBLE Langley AFB | 20 min · 10.4 mi |
| Newport News Shipbuilding | 20 min · 8.1 mi |
| Downtown Norfolk | 40 min · 24.4 mi |
Method: OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap road data, computed Oct. 10, 2026, no traffic. Gate locations, tolls and time of day will change your number. Tolls: Elizabeth River Crossings, SNJB, City of Chesapeake, VDOT (2026 rates, checked Oct. 10, 2026).
Run the bad-day test
Map the drive for a Tuesday at 7 a.m. and the drive home at 5 p.m. Then ask: if the tunnel on that route is backed up, what's my other way? If there isn't one, that's fine, as long as you choose it on purpose.
Flood zones and insurance in Newport News
Areas along the James River and creeks can be in flood zones, but much of the city sits higher than the Southside's tidal neighborhoods. Check every address.
- Virginia is buyer-beware. The Residential Property Disclosure Statement says the owner makes no representation about flood hazard areas (Va. Code § 55.1-703). That homework is on you.
- Check the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and Virginia DCR's VFRIS flood risk map.
- Flood isn't in a standard homeowners policy. If the home is in a high-risk zone and your lender is federally regulated, flood insurance will be required. Get a quote before your inspection period ends.
- Wind is separate, too. Many policies here carry a separate hurricane or wind deductible. Read it.
Drive it at high tide
Maps tell you the zone. They don't tell you the road out of the neighborhood is under water twice a month in the fall. If you're serious about a house near the water, look at it at high tide or after a hard rain, or let me go look for you.
Areas and things to do in Newport News
Names people commonly search, so you know what to type in. This isn't a ranking, and the right one depends on your commute and budget.
- Hilton Village
- Port Warwick
- City Center
- Kiln Creek
- Denbigh
- Riverside / James River corridor
- Downtown / East End
Parks, attractions and amenities
- The Mariners' Museum and Park (Noland Trail)
- Newport News Park
- Virginia Living Museum
- Christopher Newport University
- Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport
- City Center at Oyster Point
Utilities
- Electric: Dominion Energy Virginia
- Gas: Virginia Natural Gas
- Water: Newport News Waterworks
Confirm providers by address.
Pros and cons of living in Newport News
The upside
- Close to Newport News Shipbuilding, Fort Eustis and Langley, with its own airport.
- Two free crossings to the Southside: the MMMBT (I-664) and the HRBT (I-64).
- A real range of homes: early-1900s Hilton Village, mid-century homes, newer planned communities and townhomes, and condos around City Center.
- Much of the city sits higher than the Southside's tidal neighborhoods. Still check every address.
The trade-offs
- It's a long, narrow city. Living at one end and working at the other is a commute on its own.
- If you work on the Southside, you cross the water every day.
- I-64 toward Williamsburg and Richmond is being widened, so expect construction.
- A $1.18 real estate tax rate and a 7.5% meals tax, both on the higher side for the region.
Based on the figures and sources on this page. There's no "best" city, just the one that fits your commute, your budget and how you want to live.
Newport News, VA: frequently asked questions
What is the real estate tax rate in Newport News, VA?
Newport News's real estate tax rate is $1.18 per $100 of assessed value for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027). On a home assessed at $378,400, that's about $4,465 a year. Bills are due June 5 and Dec 5. The trash fee is $31.72 a month. Source: City of Chesapeake FY 2027 Local Tax Comparisons, checked Oct. 10, 2026.
Does Newport News have a car tax?
Yes. Newport News taxes personal vehicles every year at $4.50 per $100 of value (FY 2027), due Two halves: June 5 and Dec 5, plus a $26 annual vehicle license fee. Virginia's car tax relief program (PPTRA) lowers the rate on the first $20,000 of value for qualifying personal-use vehicles. Active-duty service members whose legal residence is in another state are generally exempt under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act; bring your LES to the city's Commissioner of the Revenue. It isn't paid through your mortgage escrow.
What is the median home price in Newport News, VA?
The median sale price in Newport News was $320,000 for the three months ending August 2026 (+4.9% year over year), with a median of $196 per square foot and 28 median days on market, according to Redfin (checked Oct. 10, 2026). That median covers all home types, so condos and townhomes pull it down and waterfront or acreage pulls it up.
How long is the commute from Newport News to Naval Station Norfolk?
From City Center, Naval Station Norfolk is about 30 minutes (19.4 miles) with no traffic, and Newport News Shipbuilding is about 20 minutes (8.1 miles). Close to Newport News Shipbuilding, Fort Eustis and Langley. The Southside means the MMMBT (I-664) or HRBT (I-64), both free; I-64 toward Williamsburg and Richmond is being widened. Those are no-traffic estimates from OpenStreetMap routing (computed Oct. 10, 2026); rush hour is longer, so test the drive at your real commute time.
Is Newport News in a flood zone?
Parts of it are. Areas along the James River and creeks can be in flood zones, but much of the city sits higher than the Southside's tidal neighborhoods. Check every address. In Virginia, the seller's disclosure statement makes no representation about flood zones, so look up the exact address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and Virginia's VFRIS map, and get a flood insurance quote before your inspection period ends. A standard homeowners policy generally doesn't cover flood.
What areas do people look at in Newport News?
Areas people commonly search in Newport News include Hilton Village, Port Warwick, City Center, Kiln Creek, Denbigh, Riverside / James River corridor, Downtown / East End. Housing: Early-1900s homes in Hilton Village, mid-century homes in the central and southern parts of the city, newer planned communities and townhomes in the middle and north end, and condos around City Center. I'd narrow it down by commute and budget first, then by house.
How do I check schools for a Newport News address?
Look up the specific schools for any address on the Virginia Department of Education's School Quality Profiles at schoolquality.virginia.gov, then confirm the assigned school with Newport News's school division. I don't rank schools or neighborhoods by school.
Watch: Newport News on my channel
Videos from my YouTube channel, @jason_edwards_realtor. Numbers in older videos may be out of date; the figures on this page are current as of Oct. 10, 2026.
Schools in Newport News
I don't rate schools or rank neighborhoods by school. Every school and division in Virginia has an official report card. Look up the specific schools for any address at the VDOE School Quality Profiles, and confirm the assigned school with the division.
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