Alexandria vs Newport News
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Alexandria
Newport News
The Verdict
Living in Newport News costs 57.6% less than Alexandria. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Alexandria, you would need $47,586 in Newport News.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has the same purchasing power as $47,586 in Newport News.
Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $118,207 in Alexandria.
Living in Alexandria vs Newport News
Housing Costs
Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $261,000. The $329,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,384 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $950.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $470/month in Newport News. Newport News offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Alexandria and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $119,700 in Alexandria and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $75,652 respectively. Alexandria residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,793/month to housing in Alexandria vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/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 Housing, where the gap is 126 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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