Akron vs Newport News
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Akron
Newport News
The Verdict
Akron is 12.0% less expensive than Newport News overall. A household earning $75,000 in Akron would need approximately $85,185 in Newport News to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $85,185 in Newport News.
Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $66,033 in Akron.
Living in Akron vs Newport News
Housing Costs
Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $261,000. The $115,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,476 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $470/month in Newport News. Newport News offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $416 in Newport News. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Akron and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $48,500 in Akron and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $75,652 respectively. Newport News residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Akron vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Newport News, median rent of $1,175/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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