Arlington vs Newport News

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $42,073 in Newport News.

Conversely, $75,000 in Newport News equals $133,696 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Newport News

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Newport News's 75, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $261,000. The $479,000 difference in home prices means roughly $31,140 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,175/mo in Newport News, a monthly difference of $1,175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 99 in Newport News. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington 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 102 in Arlington and 104 in Newport News. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $416 in Newport News. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 111 in Newport News. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $69,600 in Newport News. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $75,652 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,624/month in Newport News. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 174 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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